Bríd Smith
Question:1158. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of complaints received by the Charities Regulatory Authority about an exhibition (details supplied). [24395/18]
View answerTuesday, 12 June 2018
Questions (1158)
Written answers
While the Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) operates under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development, Section 14(3) of the Charities Act 2009, provides that the Charities Regulator is independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
My Department has no function in the investigation of potential breaches of the Charities Act, and therefore, it does not hold or record data on complaints or correspondence with organisations regarding potential breaches. In addition, it should be noted that my Department has no function in reviewing the procedures the Charities Regulator has in place for investigating potential breaches of the Act.
I am informed that the Charities Regulator does not publish information about concerns received in relation to individual charities as to do so could unnecessarily undermine confidence in the charities concerned and furthermore could undermine the Regulator's function to increase public trust and confidence in charities. However, I understand the Regulator intends to publish detailed aggregated information as part of a compliance report in the coming weeks.
Details of the Charity Regulator's complaints and concerns policies (for members of the public who are concerned that an organisation may be operating in breach of the Charities Act 2009) are published on its website www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie.