13/08/2002

Minister urges local participation in Lottery funding ideas

Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has urged the people of Northern Ireland to contribute to the national debate on how to reform the way in which National Lottery money is distributed to good causes.

The Minister was welcoming the consultation paper, ‘Review of Lottery Funding’, published by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, MP, which contains proposals to make the distribution of the proceeds for good causes more transparent and responsive to the needs of local communities.

Commenting on the proposals, Mr McGimpsey said: “The National Lottery has already raised more than £12 billion for good causes across the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland’s share of the proceeds, which has amounted to £417 million, is contributing to social, cultural and economic regeneration in the Province.

“But there is always room for improvement. This consultation document is an opportunity for people to have their say on how to improve and simplify the application procedure and help ensure that this funding benefits the whole community.

“I would encourage all those who are interested in the distribution of the money for good causes to comment on the consultation paper and help make the proceeds from the National Lottery work better for everyone.”

The closing date for responses, which should be forwarded to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in London, is October 30, 2002.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has a UK-wide responsibility for the National Lottery while the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is the lead Department within Northern Ireland.

(MB)

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