Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

186. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of the new charities regulator and when he or she is likely to be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7250/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 24th January 2014 I issued a call for Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the Board of a new Charities Regulatory Authority, with a view to making appointments before Easter. Arrangements are also being made to appoint an interim CEO to the new Authority and a number of other administrative staff from within existing resources. The initial indicative resource allocation is some €960,000 over a 12 month period. I intend to have these staff in place by the end of February to enable the Authority to carry out the necessary preparatory work before coming formally into operation later this year.

In time, and in order to enable the development of the services provided by the Authority, charities themselves will be required to meet some of the costs of its operation through payment of a modest and proportionate annual fee. This is provided for in the Charities Act. In this way, the regulation of charities will become largely self-financing in due course. It is only through utilising this provision that we are able to establish these new structures at this time of constraint in Government spending. The proposal to levy annual fees on charities was contained in the consultation documents published this time last year and charities had the opportunity to give there views on and propose alternatives to a suggested fee structure. I will take account of the views expressed and alternatives proposed before putting a fee structure in place. Registration fees will not be payable by charities before 2015 at the earliest.