Finian McGrath
Ceist:437 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will examine and support a matter (details supplied). [3018/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 January 2011
Ceisteanna (389)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will appreciate the difficulties in responding to the matter raised by him within the constraints of a "details supplied" Question. I can, however, say that the sector referred to by him receives funding from a wide range of sources, including the Exchequer, private philanthropists, and the general public. At the moment, there is no central repository of information on the sector in Ireland and how it is funded.
I am, however, addressing this information gap in two ways:
Firstly, my Department is providing considerable co-funding towards the development of an on-line, publicly accessible, database of relevant bodies in Ireland.
Secondly, recent legislation provides for the introduction of a public register of charities, on which all bodies operating in the sector in Ireland will have to be entered. Such bodies will also have to provide an annual report and specified financial information, which will be available to the public. The Deputy should note that my Department is currently rolling out an implementation plan for the legislation in question.
Through these initiatives, I anticipate that there will be much greater transparency as to how the sector is funded, and also how such funding is expended.