Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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267. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the promised review of the Charities Act 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15993/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Charities Regulatory Authority (“the Charities Regulator”) was established on 16 October, 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009.  Responsibility for the oversight of the Regulator transferred to my Department on its establishment in July 2017.

The general function of the Regulator is to regulate charitable organisations operating in Ireland, in order to increase public trust and confidence in their management and administration. Under the Charities Act, 2009, the Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to update legislative provisions with the Charities Regulator, to ensure it has the necessary powers to increase trust and confidence in the management and administration of charities.

There is ongoing liaison between officials in my Department and the Charities Regulator to review the operation of the legislation to ensure that it is operating effectively, and to consider amendments to the 2009 Act. This work is at an advanced stage and I intend bringing proposals to Government in the near future to progress the legislation.