Tuesday, March 4, 2014
- Designation of a chief executive of the new Charities Regulatory Authority is an important step in restoring public confidence in charities.
- Ms. Úna Ní Dhubhghaill designated first Chief Executive of the new Charities Regulatory Authority which is to be established.
I welcome the appointment of a chief executive designate for the new Charities Regulator. This will be an important step in restoring public confidence in charities and the excellent work that they do. It will help undo some of the damage caused to the reputation of many charities by recent public revelations. The open and transparent administration of charities is essential to achieve best practice across a range of charities that provide vital services and supports to many people.
This announcement will ensure that the goal of establishing the new Charities Regulatory Authority within 2014 can be achieved. The next steps will now be to establish the Office of the Authority and put in place its Board in line with the commitment made by the Government.
Charitable status is a benefit granted by the State to organisations that perform certain functions and promote activities of social importance and of public value. This status has very significant tax benefits which assist in carrying out the work done by charities, but it also bestows obligations and responsibilities, both legal and moral. Having in place a Charities Regulator will reassure the public that charities are living up to these obligations and responsibilities.