Thank you for that introduction. I want to express my appreciation to
Paddy Hopkins and the Board of the Authority for their work since
establishment a little over 18 months ago. I also want to welcome
John Farrelly and congratulate him on his recent appointment as CEO.
I’m sure your appointment feels like a very long time ago now, in
light of recent events. I am also confident that you will do a great
job in leading a very dedicated team in the implementation of this
Strategy with determination, sensitivity and focus.
Recent controversies
Everyone here today is very conscious of the fact that the faith,
trust and confidence of the Irish people in the charity sector has
been severely damaged by the recent allegations at Console and some
other charitable organisations active in Ireland. The reputations of
the many thousands of volunteers and counsellors working in these and
other charities, and indeed that of the charity sector as a whole,
have been impacted.
The regulation of the charity sector will protect it and the most
vulnerable of our citizens from further exploitation by unscrupulous,
unprincipled and unethical individuals who have no place in it.
Better oversight of the charity sector will secure the future of the
charity sector. I cannot stress that enough.
That’s why I am very pleased to be here today to launch the First
Statement of Strategy of the Charities Regulator. The work, and the
vision, of the Charities Regulator as indicated in the Statement of
Strategy, is clearly going to be absolutely vital in restoring a
sense of integrity to the charity sector.
Charities Act 2009
The Regulator was established as an independent agency on 16 October
2014 and is of course responsible for the registration and regulation
of all the charities active in this country. This is a new initiative
and one that was a priority for me on my appointment as Minister.
Last week I signed a statutory instrument to commence part 4 of the
Charities Act. as of 5 September, the Regulator will have new
investigatory and enforcement powers. This can only be good for the
sector. Recruitment of the specialist regulatory staff required to
make the most of these important functions is ongoing at the moment.
These staff will help ensure that criminal activity and deliberate
dishonesty in the charity sector - of all sectors - will not be
tolerated.
And in that spirit I particularly welcome your objective to “Monitor
proactively the compliance of charities with their legal obligations
and to investigate any perceived breach”.
Need for Good Governance in the Sector
The expectations of the public and indeed of the authorities, has
changed. There is now an appreciation of the need for - the vital
importance of - good governance. That said, people also recognise the
vital necessity of the work done by charitable organisations.
It is thanks to the ongoing advocacy of the charity sector that we
are all aware of the needs of the less fortunate in our society.
Homelessness, hunger, domestic abuse, mental health, care for the
terminally ill and animal welfare are just some of the many areas in
which charities provide services that are not provided by anyone
else. It is precisely because the work that they do is so essential
to the overall good of our society, as well as to the specific
individuals they assist, that it must be managed properly.
The development of the Regulator’s Statement of Strategy has been
informed by detailed engagement, interviews and an online public
consultation which I understand received almost 500 responses. This
is a very promising start and augurs well for the future. The purpose
of the Regulator is to ensure that that charity work remains the
focus and inspiration for those working in the sector, donors and
potential donors, rather than wider concerns about ethical standards.
The compliance of charitable organisations with the requirements of
the Regulator will provide reassurance.
Transparency
Ireland is renowned for its tradition of providing assistance to
those in need, both at home and abroad. However, neither the charity
sector nor the public can afford complacency. The Regulator will
ensure that this vitally important work is done openly, honestly and
in a fully accountable manner, which means that we can all continue
to trust charities, to take pride in their accomplishments and to
thank them for all that they do.
The Irish people expect the charity sector to conduct its business in
an honest and professional manner. The sector needs to promote
greater awareness of the scope and necessity of its work to the
public and other stakeholders. This is what will regain the public’s
trust and confidence.
Regulator’s Work in the Years Ahead (2016-2018)
This first Statement of Strategy covers the period 2016 to 2018. It
sets out the organisation’s values and ambitions and outlines its key
objectives over that timeframe. These include maintaining a public,
statutory register and reporting framework for charities operating in
Ireland, proactive monitoring of the compliance of charities with
their legal obligations and investigating any perceived breaches of
those obligations, effective engagement with all stakeholders and the
development of its strengths as an independent regulatory agency.
Over the next three years, thanks to the Register and ongoing
outreach, the Regulator will increase the information available on
registered charities. This work will help to strengthen the
accountability of the charity sector and provide a valuable source of
information for charity funding bodies, donors and beneficiaries.
There are increased expectations on the part of public and private
funders that charities will work to improve their efficiency, value
for money and accountability. The Regulator has a part to play in the
rebuilding of public trust in charities through effective and
proportionate regulation that supports high standards of governance,
management and administration. The successful achievement of the
objectives listed in this Statement of Strategy will result in
greater awareness and visibility within the charity sector and with
other stakeholders about the work that they do and the importance of
good governance.
The role of the Charities Regulator is to assist the many wonderful
charitable organisations working here in retaining the trust and
confidence of the public. I hope its success helps to ensure that the
charity sector in Ireland continues to benefit from the generosity,
compassion and public spirit of the Irish people.