Coronavirus: Ireland Lottery to give unclaimed funds to relief efforts

€16million and will be given directly to the health sector, which is at risk of becoming overwhelmed as Covid-19 continues to spread.

Ireland.- The Ireland National Lottery will be donating millions of unclaimed funds to support the battle against Coronavirus in the country.

Unclaimed funds are in the region of €16million and will be given directly to the health sector, which is at risk of becoming overwhelmed as Covid-19 continues to spread.

Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe said: “I am pleased that the €16million of historic expired prizes has become available to support investments in health at a time of unprecedented national crisis due to Covid-19.”

Ireland National Lottery CEO, Andrew Algeo, said: “All of us at the National Lottery are delighted to see this €16million used to improve health in our communities.

“PLI (Premier Lotteries Ireland) has been pleased to work together with the Regulator to make these funds available at this time.

“Thanks to our players the National Lottery raised over €250m for thousands of Good Causes in 2019 and perhaps more than ever, plays a vital role in supporting clubs, charities and great causes across the country.”

Over €5.5billion has been raised for good causes since the National Lottery in Ireland launched in 1987. Areas funded by good causes are detailed in the National Lottery Act of 2013.

On Monday, it was revealed that the National Lottery in the UK would donate £300million to help fight the Coronavirus in the country.