This brings the total raised for good causes to €2.1 billion since Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) took over the National Lottery licence in 2014, and more than €6 billion since its inception in 1989.

According to the National Lottery Good Causes Annual Report 2023, approximately 1.2 million people played National Lottery games each week in 2023, with 27 cents of every euro spent going directly to good causes.

In 2023, €405.4 million was allocated across exchequer and good causes programmes, marking an €11.5 million increase compared to the previous year.

One beneficiary of this funding was the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum in Donegal Town. Located in the former train station, the museum preserves and celebrates the railway heritage that once linked towns across the county but ceased operations in 1959.

Through National Lottery funding, distributed by The Heritage Council, the museum undertook projects such as installing an archive storage system for Donegal Railway artefacts and designing an interactive railway steam cab within an original carriage onsite.

Cian Murphy, Chief Executive of Premier Lotteries Ireland, welcomed the release of the first National Lottery Good Causes Annual Report by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform.

He stated: “Nearly €228 million was raised for the Good Causes Fund in 2023, and we are delighted with the continued positive impact these resources have on thousands of good causes across the country.

“It is crucial that players understand and see firsthand how and where this funding is distributed, and the difference it makes in their local communities.

“This report is an important step toward improving transparency around the funding model. We look forward to working closely with the department to introduce further measures that enhance player awareness of good causes nationwide.

“It is vital that we safeguard future Good Causes funding to ensure continued support for the organisations and groups carrying out incredible work in communities across the country.”