Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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418. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider bringing forward an amendment to the Charities Act 2009, as amended by the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024, to include explicit provisions requiring all registered charities, including faith-based organisations, to uphold the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination in their governance structures, employment practices and activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56464/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The Charities Regulatory Authority 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.

Accordingly, the Charities Regulator has published the Charities Governance Code, under section 14(1)(i) of the Charities Act 2009, to encourage and facilitate the better administration and management of charitable organisations. The Code explains the minimum standards that should be met to effectively manage and control a charity.

Under this Code charities are encouraged to consider how best to maximise diversity among their charity trustees. Charities are also encouraged to include members on their board who reflect the diversity that exists within our society. The regulator provides an FAQ document and training videos to assist charities to comply with the Charities Governance Code.

The Charities Regulator also provides sample codes of conduct for volunteers and employees working with charities which includes a provision that volunteers and employees should not engage in any behaviour that is discriminatory on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

The matter of the nine grounds of discrimination, including gender, are covered under the Equal Status Act 2000 and as such fall under the responsibility of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The Equal Status Act determines that individuals that fall under the protected grounds cannot be discriminated against in relation to accessing goods and services. As with any organisation, public body or other entity, charities are subject to the Equal Status Act.

Charities that are employers are also subject to the Employment Equality Act 1998, the Equality Act 2004, Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 and Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 and must comply with these acts and ensure that their employment practices are not discriminatory.

On this basis, I currently have no plans to amend the Charities Act 2009 or the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024 to include such provisions as detailed by the Deputy.