Scrapping of lotteries scheme was considered in 2008

The Government was considering scrapping the controversial Charitable Lotteries Scheme years before Justice Minister Alan Shatter decided to phase it out, arguing was no longer “fit for purpose”.

Since 1997 the scheme has provided €120m in state funding to charities whose lottery sales suffered as a result of the imposition of a cap on prizes following the establishment of the National Lottery, which offers unlimited prizes.

Mr Shatter told the Dáil the scheme was to end because it incentivised charities to maximise sales, with no regard for costs or profitability. The decision has resulted in a bitter war of words between Mr Shatter and the Rehab Group, which has received €21.6m from the scheme over the past five years.