€227.9 Million raised for Good Causes Fund in 2023

27th December 2024: Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), the operator of the National Lottery, welcomes the publication of the National Lottery Good Causes Annual Report 2023, the first annual report compiled by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER) to provide greater transparency around the allocation of funding for Good Causes.

Key highlights from the report include:

€227.9 Million Raised in 2023: €227.9 Million was raised for Good Causes through National Lottery ticket sales in 2023, bringing the total amount raised for Good Causes to €2.1 Billion since PLI won the licence to operate the National Lottery in 2014 and over €6 billion since 1989. Widespread Participation: On average, 1.2 Million people played National Lottery games each week in 2023, with 27 cents of every euro spent going directly to Good Causes. Supporting Communities: Good Causes funding, combined with Exchequer funding, supports over 4,500 charity and voluntary groups, sports bodies, arts and heritage organisations, youth projects, and Irish Language initiatives annually. €405.4 Million was allocated across exchequer and Good Causes programmes in 2023, an increase of €11.5 Million from the previous year.

Commenting on the publication of the National Lottery Good Causes Annual Report, Cian Murphy, CEO of Premier Lotteries Ireland, said: “We welcome the publication of the National Lottery Good Causes Annual Report by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the first of its kind, which provides the public with greater transparency around the allocation of funding to Good Causes.

“Nearly €228 Million was raised for the Good Causes Fund in 2023, and we are delighted with the continued positive impact those resources have on thousands of Good Causes throughout the country. It is hugely important our players understand and see first-hand how and where Good Causes funding is distributed and in particular the impact this funding has locally, within their own community. This report is a vital first step in helping to improve clarity around the funding model and we look forward to working closely with the Department to implement further measures that will deepen players awareness with Good Causes nationwide”.

“It is vital that we safeguard future Good Causes funding, to guarantee continued revenue streams for these organisations and groups to continue carrying out their amazing work in communities nationwide.”

Sports, Recreation, and The Arts

The Arts Council, the Irish government agency for developing the arts, was the largest organisation supported by National Lottery part funding, receiving €130.5 Million in 2023. Sport Ireland, the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland, was the next largest beneficiary, receiving nearly €105 Million in a mix of part funding from the National Lottery and exchequer funding.

One such Good Cause, Special Olympics Ireland, who receive annual grants from Sport Ireland, thanks to part funding from the National Lottery, have been able to offer an array of programmes and events that have transformed the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Youth Development and Social Inclusion

Youth organisations and services were provided €75.5 Million, part funded by the National Lottery in 2023, while the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) received €7 Million.

Involve Youth Project Meath, one of Involve’s six youth projects that specialises in working with the Travelling Community in Ireland, received National Lottery part funding through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, towards various projects that have helped young people connect with their communities and help break down stigma around the travelling community and encourage accessibility and inclusion for all.

The Department of Rural and Community Development distributes Good Causes funding targeting community development and social inclusion including the Seniors Alert Scheme, Volunteering Supports, Supports for National Organisations (SSNO) and towards the St. Vincent DePaul and Protestant Aid.

Housing and Heritage

The Communal Facilities in Housing Projects received funding towards the capital costs of providing communal facilities in both new and existing voluntary housing schemes, and additional funding was allocated towards Mobility Aids Grants which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs.

The Heritage Council, a public body tasked with developing a wide understanding of the vital contribution that our heritage makes to our social, environmental and economic well-being, received €14.2 Million in 2023, that was also part-funded by the National Lottery. One such Heritage Good Cause, The Donegal Railway Heritage Museum in Donegal Town, based in what was Donegal Town’s train station, showcases the unique railway heritage that once connected the towns in the county but ceased operations in 1959. The museum utilised National Lottery funding through The Heritage Council for projects such as an Archive Storage System for Donegal Railway Artefacts and the commissioning of the design and build of an interactive railway steam cab to be hosted within an original carriage onsite.

Health

The HSE National Lottery grant scheme received a total of €4.5 million in 2023, unchanged in recent years, to support community groups and voluntary organisations across Ireland. These grants range from €500 to €10,000 and are distributed towards projects that improve the health and social care needs of communities.

One of these Good Causes who benefitted from the scheme are The Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House, who received a National Lottery HSE grant in 2023 to provide hydrotherapy classes for its clients. The classes focus on gentle exercises to improve fitness, mobility and mental health as well as provide pain relief.