Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister’s contribution to this Private Members’ Bill.

Given the crisis the charity sector finds itself in, I have written to the Taoiseach to ask the Government to consider a once-off grant, by way of an ex gratia payment of €740,000 to the Friends and Supporters of the Central Remedial Clinic as an expression of the Government’s goodwill to the clinic’s front-line workers who are devastated by the exposés over the past several weeks.

There may be other charities engaged in sharp practice or maybe even fraudulent activities when it comes to charitable funding and fund-raising. It was recently reported, and confirmed by its board, that the chief executive officer of Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross, Dublin, is in receipt of a top-up allowance because he leads charitable activity there as the fund-raising department comes under his remit. Is this good corporate governance? Are there other aspects of Our Lady’s Hospice which are so far undisclosed? I was shocked to learn that, while it receives much support and donations from families of patients, particularly those who have been bereaved, it has a particular deposit account which realises €2 million. The 2012 annual report showed €7,000 in net current assets. Are there other deposit accounts? What is the source of funding for such accounts?

I welcome the Minister’s decision to establish a charities regulatory authority which will be put in place as soon as possible.

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