Dáil Question on the implementation of The Charities Act 2009

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the implementation of The Charities Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply from Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter TD

The Charities Act 2009 was designed to support and enhance public trust in charities by providing for the statutory registration and regulation of charities operating in Ireland by an independent Charities Regulatory Authority.

The decision was taken in 2011, because of the urgent need to make savings in Government expenditure, to defer full implementation of the Charities Act. This decision was taken for financial reasons and it has remained Government policy to provide for the implementation of the Charities Act 2009.

My Department has therefore examined methods of how best to implement the Charities Act in the current financial climate. As part of this process, in January of this year I published for consultation outline proposals for implementing key provisions of the Act. The consultation document invited the views of stakeholders and members of the public on proposals for the implementation of the Act on a phased and low cost basis. I was very pleased with the outcome of this consultation. Some 160 submissions, containing much valuable feedback, were received in response.

My Department is currently reviewing the submissions received and I look forward to publishing the results in due course and a further indication of the Government’s timeframe for the introduction of an operational Charities Regulatory Authority and full implementation of the Charities Act 2009.