Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
552. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to fully implement the provisions of the Charities Act 2009, and in particular to bring forward appropriate regulations in respect of charitable fundraising activities; if she will liaise with the Charities Regulatory Authority in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37546/15]
View answerAs I indicated on the establishment of the Charities Regulatory Authority, it has a wide range of functions under the Charities Act 2009, 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. Some 8,500 CHY charities with tax exemption status were registered automatically on the Register of Charities on the establishment of the Authority. Any charity established before 16 October 2014 and not automatically registered must apply directly to the Authority for inclusion on the Register by 16 April 2016.
The Authority has undertaken a variety of work since its establishment on 16 October 2014 including establishment of the Register of Charities and a fully online system for registration and annual reporting by charities; communication with the 8,500 CHY charities with tax exemption status regarding the additional information and legal documentation required to support their registered status; development of an online system for organisations to apply for inclusion on the Register of Charities; provision of information to the charities sector on their obligations and duties under the new regulatory regime; and the continuation of services hitherto provided by the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland.
The range of services to be provided by the Authority is being developed on an ongoing basis. These services include the development of an annual reporting framework for registered charities, the development of a monitoring and compliance programme and the development of the investigative role of the Authority under Part 4 of the Act which has not yet been commenced. The Register, when more advanced, will underpin the investigative and other regulatory work of the Authority.
I am committed to ensuring that the Authority has the necessary resources available to enable it to fulfil its statutory mandate. Significant additional resources - a budget allocation for 2016 of €2.665 million which represents an 88% increase over 2015 - are being made available to the CRA. This includes additional funding of €1.25 million which will enable an expansion in the level of staffing and other resources available to the CRA in 2016.
Specifically on the issue of the regulation of charitable fundraising activities, I recently requested that the Authority consider the establishment of a Consultative Panel in accordance with its powers under the provisions of Section 36 of the Charities Act 2009, to examine the issue of charitable fundraising and the possible need for regulation of such fundraising in the future and I understand that the Authority intends to advance this matter. It is my intention that the outcome of the deliberations of the Consultative Panel would inform the development in due course of Regulations in relation to charitable fundraising in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2009.
