asked the Minister for Justice (a) what scrutiny or control is exercised by his Department and by the Gardaí over the collection of funds for charity, (b) by what means he ensures that funds collected are put to their stated purpose, (c) if published accounts of expenditure and income are required to be submitted to him by charities, (d) if any difference of obligation or privilege exists between charities which are conducted as private limited companies and others, in regard to the issue of permits for fund raising, and (e) if he is satisfied that existing legislation protects both the general public and the objects of charity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Collection of Funds for Charity.
40.
Except in so far as funds are raised through lotteries or street collections, in which cases there are certain statutory controls irrespective of whether the object is charitable or not, there is no legislative control over fund raising for charity. Neither is there any provision for control over or scrutiny of the manner in which charities dispose of their funds.
Will the Minister consider introducing legislation to ensure there will be control?
This is a matter very difficult to control by legislation. If the Deputy has any complaint or any evidence of fraud, I will have the matter investigated. I do not know that there are widespread complaints.
You could exclude Taca. That is not charity.
Anything we get is voluntary, unlike the Labour Party.
It is not in the streets they collect that.