I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the first meeting of the Charities Regulatory Authority Board took place on the 29th May 2014. The new Authority will operate as an independent regulator for the charity sector and will be formally established on 16 October 2014 under the terms of the Charities Act of 2009. 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.
The Authority will also take on the functions of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland. The temporary website of the Authority is at www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie.