Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on philanthropy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50122/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Government established the Forum on Philanthropy in May 2006 in order to promote a culture of philanthropy in Ireland. The Forum initially comprised the Departments of An Taoiseach (in the Chair), Finance and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, as well as five private philanthropic organisations.

On 1 May 2011, responsibility for the Forum was transferred to my Department. I broadened its focus to support the development of both philanthropy and fundraising. During 2012, the Forum set out ambitious plans to increase philanthropic giving from its current estimated level of approximately €500 million per annum to €800 million by 2016. The drivers for this increase in giving fall under four overarching themes: a national giving campaign, fiscal and infrastructure recommendations, fundraising capacity improvements and a social innovation fund.

Very significant progress has been made on the implementation of the Forum’s plans. A National Giving Campaign, the one percent difference, has been launched – details of the campaign are on the website . The tax treatment of donations to charities has been simplified and decoupled from business tax incentives, a road map has been set out for the implementation of the Charities Act and the setting up of a Charities Regulator and the Social Innovation Fund are in the early stages of development.

My Department continues to support the Forum. Funding of approximately €1.9 million over a three-year period is being allocated to Philanthropy Ireland on the basis that it is matched with funding from philanthropic sources. This funding is being used to support the Giving Campaign and initial set-up costs of the social innovation fund.

A further allocation of approximately €400,000 over a three-year period is also being provided by my Department to Fundraising Ireland, once again on the basis that it is matched by funding from philanthropic sources. This funding will contribute to the professionalisation of fundraising within the sector.

I share the Forum’s view that, even in these difficult times, we have the opportunity to substantially increase the level of private investment in the philanthropic and fundraising sectors. It is not intended to substitute for Government investment, but to supplement it. As well as unlocking significant private funding to address fundamental social and economic challenges, increased private giving to good causes will also support the Government’s strategy to increase employment.