Sir, – It seems the National Children’s Hospital is not now likely to be completed before 2019 at the earliest, ie, in six years’ time, at a projected cost of €600 million.
Each year, the National Lottery gives away more than €200 million to good causes. Six times €200 million equals €1,200 million. In other words, more than twice the cost of the hospital.
If the Government reserves only half of what it disburses each year, into a fund specifically for the children’s hospital, it can easily pay for the hospital while still retaining full control of a valuable asset and continuing to have some funding for other good causes. After only six years, full funding would again be available for worthy causes.
This seems to be a better solution than selling off the rights to the Lottery for 20 years to a private agency for profit. – Yours, etc,
DAVID DORAN
Royal Oak Road,
Bagenalstown,
Co Carlow.