National Lottery funding hits five-year low

Funding to good causes by the National Lottery hit a five-year low in 2011 as a result of the economic downturn, forcing consumers to spend less money on Lotto tickets and scratch cards.

The National Lottery allocated €231.9m last year to community, voluntary and charitable groups, a figure representing 30.5% of all sales.

However, it compared to a total handout of €243.7m in 2010 and a peak of €267.8m in 2008