asked the Minister for Health the total proceeds from the sale of tickets from the Irish Sweeps Autumn Handicap and the amount remaining for the hospital fund after deductions.

The total proceeds from the sale of tickets from the Irish Sweeps Autumn Handicap last year was £1,704,180 including sellers' prizes totalling £40,900. The total amount accruing to the Hospitals Trust Fund after payment of prizes and expenses was £498,984, which includes £124,746 stamp duty.

What is the net amount accruing to the hospitals and what does it represent as a proportion of the total proceeds?

The total proceeds were £1.7 million and the Hospitals Trust Fund got a little short of £500,000.

Net?

Yes.

After stamp duty had been paid?

Including stamp duty.

I want the net amount after stamp duty had been paid.

The figure of £498,984 includes £124,746 stamp duty.

Deducted from £498,984 was £124,746 stamp duty which leaves approximately £300,000.

That is the amount the Hospitals Trust Fund get, practically £500,000.

The Minister is saying that the fund gets almost £500,000 net?

That is the amount paid into the Hospitals Trust Fund.