Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
533. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of complaints received from the public and-or internal staff regarding a centre (details supplied) exhibiting artwork; the reason the Charities Regulatory Authority issued a letter to the centre on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22211/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra534. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which the Charities Regulatory Authority plans to review and assess all the artworks on display by arts charities both now and in the future; the way in which the authority plans to assess the political content of all the programmes that are being run by all charities in the course of pursuing their charitable purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 533 and 534 together.
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 investigating potential breaches of the Charities Act, including recording the number of complaints received or correspondence with organisations on the matter of potential breaches of the Act. 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.
The Charities Regulator’s complaints policy and concerns policy (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.
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 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 due in the coming weeks.
