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Public Reform Minister Brendan Howlin is pictured with Dermot Griffiin of Premiere Lotteries ireland

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin announced today that he has granted the next licence to operate the National Lottery to Premier Lotteries Ireland, a consortium comprising Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, An Post and An Post pension funds.

Speaking today, Minister Howlin said:

Almost two years ago, I brought a proposal to Government that I strongly believed could yield significant revenues. Today, I am pleased to say that I have delivered on that proposal - half of the €405 million achieved for the transaction will now be paid. These monies are earmarked for a number of job-rich projects including the Wild Atlantic Way, the 1916 Commemoration and the National Sports Campus. In nine months, the second installment of €202.5million will be delivered, bringing the construction of the New Children’s Hospital closer.

Minister Howlin added:

I am very pleased with the outcome of this process. We have a new operator that brings valuable domestic experience together with international expertise. I believe Premier Lotteries will grow the business in a responsible manner and I look forward to a greater annual revenue stream for Good Causes.

Staff of the current operator of the National Lottery, An Post National Lottery Company (APNLC), will transfer to Premier Lotteries Ireland under their existing terms and conditions in accordance with legal protections that arise in transfer situations.