Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Feb 1999

Vol. 501 No. 2

Written Answers. - Charitable Bodies.

John Gormley

Question:

254 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance if he is appraised of the identities of the 6,035 bodies which, as of early December 1998, have been confirmed to enjoy the benefits of tax exempt status; if he has satisfied himself that all these bodies are operating to the highest standards in terms of statutory compliance [1050/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I received a list from the Revenue Commissioners of the charitable exempt bodies that was made available to the Deputy earlier this month. The list consists of 5,666 bodies, which according to the Revenue records, held charitable exemption as of 31 January 1999.

I have no function in relation to administering or monitoring compliance with the tax exemption for charitable bodies. Responsibility for the administration of the exemption and for monitor ing compliance with the exemption are matters for the Revenue Commissioners. In my reply to a number of questions tabled by the Deputy on 17 November 1998, I outlined in some detail the manner in which Revenue operates controls on the exemption as well as the monitoring measures taken. As I informed the House on that occasion, I am satisfied that the exemption is administered by Revenue in an appropriate and balanced way.