Vol. 536 No. 2
353 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals he has to implement new financial regulations for charities; the time scale he has for a reform of the Charities Act, 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13562/01]
As announced in the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity, my Department is to take over the responsibility for charity regulatory matters and for the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is expected that the order to formally effect the transfer will shortly be signed. A White Paper implementation unit has been established in my Department to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity and one of its functions is to initiate and prepare the overhaul of the charities legislation. It is envisaged that the preparation of legislation will require three stages; review, consultation and approval. Work has begun on reviewing the current situation and it is hoped to commence the consultation process in the coming months. There are a wide variety of views which exist on the complicated questions involved and I look forward during the consultation process to getting the widest possible input from the various interests. This is necessary in order to put legislation in place which is appropriate to present circumstances.
