Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the parameters of the requirements for voluntary groups to obtain the status of non-governmental organisations, especially organisations that are supporting children in Third World countries. [36327/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The term non-governmental organisation is commonly applied to not-for-profit organisations which have a charitable or humanitarian focus. As far as my Department is concerned, the non-governmental organisations it has contact with are typically involved in a variety of charitable activities, fund raising and development work targeted at the Third World. They range in size from small once-off initiatives to large organisations such as Concern, Goal and Trócaire. Although they may have a volunteer base of membership they also have, in many cases, a professional staff to administer their operations.

In order to be eligible for funding from the Department, an organisation must normally be registered in Ireland as a tax-exempt charitable organisation. The Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the administration of charitable tax exemption under taxation legislation. They currently issue a charity reference number, for example, CHY 123, to bodies which are granted charitable tax exemption by them. They maintain and publish, including on their website at www.revenue.ie a list of those bodies.

My colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, is currently preparing new legislation covering the charitable sector. This legislation will introduce an integrated system of mandatory registration, proportionate regulation and supervision. The proposed independent regulatory body, to be positioned as the centrepiece of the regulatory regime, will be responsible for setting up and maintaining a register of charities.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in addition to requiring charitable status, also requires that any organisation which it funds has in place an acceptable structure of corporate governance and demonstrates that it has the staff and capacity to implement effectively the projects or programmes for which funding is sought.

In general, the Department funds the work of organisations which have as their focus the improvement of the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of the population, including children, in the developing world. Through innovative mechanisms, such as the multi-annual programme scheme, MAPS, it has implemented international best practice regarding the effective disbursement of development aid to NGOs. A strong emphasis on the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the systems, practices and performance of the NGOs funded has also helped ensure that the quality of Irish aid to the developing world remains at the forefront of the international development effort. In this context, Development Co-operation Ireland does not specify any particular additional requirements for the funding of organisations with a remit to support children in the developing world.