Report shows that Regulator’s work is increasing transparency and accountability in sector
Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities at the Department of Rural and Community Development, today launched the 2019 Annual Report of the Charities Regulator. The report demonstrates that Regulator is helping to increase public trust and confidence in charitable organisations.
Minister O’Brien was speaking at the launch of the Charities Regulatory Authority’s Annual Report for 2019 which was presented to the Minister and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the Charities Act of 2009.
Minister O’Brien said:
Charities and voluntary and community organisations play a very important role in every community across the country with 10,500 charities on the Authority’s Register of Charities at the end of 2019.
One of the chief aims of the Charities Act is to promote public confidence and trust in the charities’ sector and the annual report demonstrates that the Regulator is achieving this aim. The maintenance of the public register increases transparency, accountability and ultimately confidence in the sector.
Minister O’Brien continued:
Public concerns are also welcome and I note that the Regulator received 649 concerns during 2019, with 597 closed by the end of the year. The capacity to address these concerns increased during 2019, and I would continue to urge anyone who has concerns about charities to raise these with the Regulator.
It is important that my Department continues to support the Regulator in enabling it to carry out the functions that are intended under the Charities Act. My Department, in conjunction with the Regulator, is drafting amendments to the Act that will strengthen its regulatory functions.
Speaking on the Charities Regulator’s developments in 2019, Minister O’Brien added:
I am also pleased to note the work of the Charities Regulator in terms of assisting the staff and trustees of charities to meet duties and obligations relating to the sound management of charitable organisations. 2019 was a key year in supporting the Charities Governance Code, with significant guidance provided to charities and their trustees. This support consisted of a toolkit, Meet the Regulator seminars, guidance documents and surveys.
I am aware of the significant impact on charities in the current pandemic. The Regulator has continued to operate in difficult circumstances and I wish to recognise the ongoing work of the Board, management and staff of the Regulator, both in this regard, and also with its ongoing functions.