So how is lottery funding distributed in the UK and how does it compare to the process in Ireland?
The following statement is prominent on the website
lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.: There are currently 13 Lottery funders who
independently decide which projects have successfully applied for a grant. Each
is independent of Government but has to follow guidelines when deciding who
should receive National Lottery funding.
Compare that with this on lottery.ie: The National Lottery
generates funds for good causes in the areas of Youth, Sport, Recreation and
Amenities; Health & Welfare; Arts, Culture & National Heritage and the
Irish Language. Funds raised by the
National Lottery are transferred to the Exchequer and are used to
part-finance expenditure by various Government Departments on projects in these
categories.
On the lotterygoodcauses.org.uk website it is possible to enter details of the project for which funds are sought. This will generate a list of possible sources of funding with details of the criteria that will be applied in assessing your application. The whole process is open, transparent and free from direct political interference. In Ireland it is necessary to apply to the relevant government department and the decision is made by the minister who, being human - and Irish - will probably favour organisations in his home constituency over those submitted from elsewhere.
That can be changed. But only if enough people tell their TDs that they want it to change. There is not much time. The bill to introduce a new National Lottery scheme is currently going through the committee stages in the Oireachtas.
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