Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
185. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on concerns that an interim charity regulator lacks sufficient authority to bring about change in the sector; if he plans on tasking the new charity regulator with a broad remit to instil a rights based culture and set standards for management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe remit of the Charities Regulatory Authority that is to be established under the Charities Act of 2009 is set out in detail in the Act. This remit encompasses a number of functions of relevance to the Deputy's question. The functions of the Authority as set out in the Act shall be to:
(a) increase public trust and confidence in the management and administration of charitable trusts and charitable organisations;
(b) promote compliance by charity trustees with their duties in the control and management of charitable trusts and charitable organisations;
(c) promote the effective use of the property of charitable trusts or charitable organisations;
(d) ensure the accountability of charitable organisations to donors and beneficiaries of charitable gifts, and the public;
(e) promote understanding of the requirement that charitable purposes confer a public benefit;
(f) establish and maintain a register of charitable organisations;
(g) ensure and monitor compliance by charitable organisations with this Act;
(h) carry out investigations in accordance with this Act;
(i) encourage and facilitate the better administration and management of charitable organisations by the provision of information or advice, including in particular by way of issuing (or, as it considers appropriate, approving) guidelines, codes of conduct, and model constitutional documents;
(j) carry on such activities or publish such information (including statistical information) concerning charitable organisations and trusts as it considers appropriate; and
(k) provide information (including statistical information) or advice, or make proposals, to the Minister on matters relating to the functions of the Authority.
With respect to the Board of the Authority, I have indicated my intention to appoint the Members by Easter. In preparation for this, an open call for expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for appointment has been made. With respect to the staffing of the Authority, arrangements are being made by my Department to assign an initial staff to the Authority, from within existing resources, in line with sanctions received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This will include a Chief Executive Designate who, as provided for in the Act, will become the first Chief Executive of the Authority.
An early priority for the new Authority will be the preparation and publication of a statutory register of charities. All registered charities will be required to provide reports to the Authority each year on their activities and these reports will be made available to the public. This will provide a much needed increase in transparency and accountability in the charitable sector, and will support the good practice in charity governance and management that is critical to a vibrant charity sector that commands the trust and confidence of donors and beneficiaries alike.
