Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2009
303 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff within his Department dedicated to the development of a regulatory framework for the charities sector; if the recruitment embargo in the public sector will prevent the establishment of a charities regulator and recruitment of regulatory staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18808/09]
View answerThere are currently five staff within my own Department dedicated to the development of a regulatory framework for the charities sector. As the Deputy will be aware, the Charities Act 2009 was signed into law on 28 February 2009 and provides, inter alia, for the establishment of a new Charities Regulatory Authority. This will entail the dissolution of the Office of the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland (CCDB), which currently employs 8 staff.
My Department is working closely with the CCDB to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for the smooth transfer of its functions and staff to the new Authority at the appropriate time. Liaison between my Department and the Department of Finance will also continue, as required, in relation to that transfer and the establishment of the new Charities Regulatory Authority, taking into account the current recruitment moratorium in place for the public sector.
As the Deputy is aware, a number of other steps will have to be taken before the new Authority can be established, including the establishment of an initial Register of Charities (which has taken of the order of 2 years in other similar jurisdictions). I can confirm, however, that the introduction of statutory regulation for charities remains Government policy and I am committed to delivering an integrated system of mandatory registration and proportionate regulation and supervision of the charities sector in Ireland at the earliest possible date.
