Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

457. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if concerns regarding the charity regulator (details below) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23396/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The aim of the independent Charities Regulatory Authority, established on 16 October 2014 under the provisions of the Charities Act 2009, is to provide for better regulation of charitable organisations through a framework of registration, regulation and support. Since its establishment, the Authority has:

- published a Register of Charities, containing information on some 8,500 CHY charities with tax exemption status;

- made contact with all charities on the register requesting them to supply additional information and legal documentation required to support their registered status;

- developed an online system for organisations to apply for inclusion in the Register of Charities;

- provided – through its website and active programme of stakeholder engagement - extensive information to the charities sector on their obligations and duties under the new regulatory regime.

As I indicated on the establishment of the Authority, it has a wide range of functions under the Act, which are being introduced on a phased basis, beginning with the compilation of the statutory Register of Charities. I am informed that the initial priority of the Authority has been on the development of the Register with a view to underpinning and supporting the investigatory and enforcement functions.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that sanction was granted recently for additional staff members who are currently being put in place. This will bring the total staffing complement up to 20 and support the Authority in carrying out its statutory functions. Work is progressing on plans to seek sanction for further recruitment of additional specialist resources for the Authority which will allow for commencement of the remaining parts of the Act, including Part 4 which relates to the Authority's investigatory and enforcement functions.

In the meantime, I am advised that the Authority has put in place an interim process for the handling of complaints it receives about suspected abuse of charitable status or fraud in charities. Under this process, all complaints received in writing will be subject to an initial review and assessment by the Authority to determine whether any further action is appropriate. I am advised that the specific case raised by the Deputy will be addressed by the Authority via this interim process.