Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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354. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on an application by an organisation (details supplied) for charitable status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16285/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Authority is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.

The Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions under Section 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the decision-making process of the Regulator, particularly with regard to the registration of charities. That is entirely a matter for the Regulator and any queries should be raised directly with the Regulator.

I want to take this opportunity to highlight that the organisation can contact the Charities Regulator directly regarding their application, through an online query form or through the ‘MyAccount Portal’, located at www.charitiesregulator.ie/en/contact-us. There is also a dedicated phone line for queries about charity applications and registration status, (01) 633 1500, available between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday inclusive.

Each application for registration must be carefully assessed by the Charities Regulator to ensure that the applicant meets the specific requirements set out in the Charities Act 2009.

While the Charities Regulator endeavours to complete the registration process for applicants as efficiently as possible, the overall application process takes time and it can vary from case to case in terms of when a decision can be made on an application.