KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

REGULATION OF CHARITIES

Question: How are charities regulated in Ireland?

Answer: The Charities Regulatory Authority (Charities Regulator) regulates charities in Ireland. It maintains a public register of charities and monitors their compliance with the Charities Act 2009. This Act sets out what an organisation must do to be recognised as a charity and the legal obligations for operating as a charity in Ireland.

To be considered a charity, an organisation must: Operate in the Republic of Ireland (though its target group can be elsewhere)

Exist for a charitable purpose and exclusively promote this purpose (a charitable purpose is a goal that is of public benefit)

Not be an excluded body (such as a trade union, chamber of commerce etc.)

The organisation must first give the Regulator information about itself, so the Regulator can assess if it meets the requirements to be a charity. If the Regulator approves the application, it awards the organisation charitable status, gives it a Registered Charity Number and lists it on the charities register. You can search the charities register on charitiesregister.ie. It is an offence for an organisation to describe itself as a charity and carry out charitable activities, if it is not registered with the Charities Regulator.

The Regulator can appoint an inspector to investigate a charity’s affairs. The charity and its trustees must co-operate fully and give the inspector all the relevant accounts and documents.

The Regulator can choose to take a charity off the register -- for example, if it fails to comply with its financial obligations or give the Regulator the information it requires.

If you are concerned about a charity or its activities, you can raise a concern with the Charities Regulator. Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Contact us in Tralee on Tel: 0761 07 7860. Killarney 0761 07 7820, Listowel 0761 07 7840 Kenmare 0761 07 7810. Caherciveen 0761 07 7780.

Outreach Services; Killorglin weekly, Dingle monthly, please call Tralee for more information.

Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Glenbeigh Glencar Senior team who defeated Laune Rangers in the Mid Kerry Senior Championship final at JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin on Sunday.