Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015
413. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will commence the legislative provisions, including section 4 governing the investigative powers of the Charities Regulatory Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24199/15]
View answer414. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in bringing Part 4 of the Charities Act 2009 into force; if she will commit to bringing it into force as soon as possible, in order to provide the Charities Regulatory Authority with the power to investigate charitable organisations; if she accepts that any delay will be detrimental to maintaining public confidence in the charities sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22988/15]
View answer466. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the charities regulator will be given powers as per the office title; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23598/15]
View answer467. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the charities regulator cannot advise the public on who to make a complaint to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23600/15]
View answer469. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Charities Regulator will be vested with powers to freeze a charity with immediate effect, if required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23617/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 414, 466, 467 and 469 together.
The aim of the independent Charities Regulatory Authority, established on 16 October 2014 under the provisions of the Charities Act 2009, is to provide for better regulation of charitable organisations through a framework of registration, regulation and support. Since its establishment, the Authority has published a Register of Charities, containing information on some 8,500 CHY charities with tax exemption status; made contact with all charities on the register requesting them to supply additional information and legal documentation required to support their registered status; developed an online system for organisations to apply for inclusion in the Register of Charities; provided, through its website and active programme of stakeholder engagement, extensive information to the charities sector on their obligations and duties under the new regulatory regime.
As I indicated on the establishment of the Authority, it has a wide range of functions under the Act, which are being introduced on a phased basis, beginning with the compilation of the statutory Register of Charities. I am informed that the initial priority of the Authority has been on the development of the Register with a view to underpinning and supporting the investigatory and enforcement functions.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that sanction was granted recently for additional staff members who are currently being put in place. This will bring the total staffing complement up to 20 and support the Authority in carrying out its statutory functions. Work is progressing on plans to seek sanction for further recruitment of additional specialist resources for the Authority which will allow for commencement of the remaining parts of the Act, including Part 4 which relates to the Authority's investigatory and enforcement functions.
In the meantime, I am advised that the Authority has put in place an interim process for the handling of complaints it receives about suspected abuse of charitable status or fraud in charities. Under this process, all complaints received in writing will be subject to an initial review and assessment by the Authority to determine whether any further action is appropriate.
