Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
449. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for the recently announced consultation on the implementation of the Charities Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53971/12]
View answerThe Charities Act 2009 was enacted with the objective of strengthening the regulation of charitable organisations and increasing their transparency and accountability. The majority of the Act's sections have not yet been commenced as they are contingent on the establishment of a new Charities Regulatory Authority, which has been postponed due to budgetary constraints. Notwithstanding this, it remains an objective of the Government to strengthen the regulation of this sector in effective and proportionate ways. To advance this, I intend to conduct a public consultation to invite views from charities, other interested stakeholders, and members of the public on issues connected with the implementation of the Charities Act. These will include the establishment of a Charities Regulatory Authority; the statutory registration of charities and granting of charitable status; and the types of information that a Charities Regulatory Authority might require from registered charities each year. A document to form the basis for the consultation is currently in preparation in my Department and I hope to publish this on the Department's website early in the New Year. The consultation period will run for eight weeks from the date of its publication. I look forward to a wide-ranging and informed consultation process on these important issues.
