Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

609 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of charities which are registered and in contact with the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests; the number of these bodies which have had their current status reviewed or revoked in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7937/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests are mandated under the Charities Acts 1961 and 1973 to provide services to trustees of charities and to carry out the intentions of persons making donations and bequests to charity. Unlike their counterparts in England and Wales, the commissioners have no power to maintain a register of charities.

There is no statutory provision in Ireland for the general registration and inspection of chari ties. There is neither a registration duty on charitiesper se, nor a duty on any body to register the existence of charities. However, the Revenue Commissioners maintain a list of those bodies that have successfully applied for tax exemption on charitable grounds.

Against this background, An Agreed Programme for Government sets out a commitment to legislate for regulatory reform in relation to charities. Work in this area is under way in my Department.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

610 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had a meeting with the chairperson of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests to discuss the preparation of new legislation on the regulations of charities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7938/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

The chairperson of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests is kept informed of developments through the representation of the Commissioners on Charity Law Advisory Group, which is chaired by my Department. Meetings with the chairperson will take place in due course, as part of the consultation process associated with preparation of the new legislation on charities regulation.

In addition, and in accordance with good practice, I propose to individually meet the chairpersons of each body under the aegis of my department, including the chairperson of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests. Clearly, matters relating to reform of charity law are likely to be also discussed in this context.

Question No. 611 answered with Question No. 606.