Statutory mandate of the Commissioners
Reporting by the Commissioners
Membership of the Board of Commissioners
The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland were brought under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on its establishment in June 2002.
The Board of the Commissioners consists of a maximum of 11 members, appointed by the Government, who derive their powers from the Charities Acts 1961 and 1973.
The Office of the Commissioners has its own Vote (Vote 24). The monies granted are for the salaries of the Secretary of the Board and Accounting Officer and 8 full-time staff, as well as the operational expenses of the Office.
The Commissioners are mandated under the Charities Acts 1961 and 1973 to:
Unlike their counterparts in England and Wales, the Commissioners have no power to maintain a register of charities or statutory powers of investigation, although they can seek documents relating to a charity.
The Commissioners provide various services for charities without charge. Many of the services are of a judicial nature. For example, the Commissioners can:
Other functions of the Commissioners include:
The Commissioners have a statutory obligation to prepare Annual Reports and audited Accounts, which are submitted to Government on their behalf, and then laid before each House of the Oireachtas, by the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.
In addition, in accordance with the Charities Act 1961, the Local Government Audit Service provides a Statutory Audit Report on the Accounts of the Commissioners each year to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
Secretary of the Board and Accounting Officer
Ms Orla Barry Murphy, BL
Office of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland,
12 Clare Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 676 6095
Fax: (01) 676 6001
E-mail: charities@eircom.net
Website: www.charitycommissioners.ie