Sir, – In light of shocking revelations about charities in recent years, any new powers being granted to the Charity Regulatory Authority are to be welcomed.
It should be noted that it is the larger charities, well-funded and with paid staff for administration and fundraising, that are the organisations that have brought the charity sector into disrepute. Every other charity then gets tarred with the same brush.
We never get in-depth reporting telling us of the tireless, Trojan work that is done in most instances. We don’t often get told why so many people feel motivated to begin a charity in the first place. We don’t get told about how many of these charities are health-related and set up to serve a real need. We don’t often get told of the number of voluntary hours put in by people, and how if they were not doing this work, so many services would simply cease.
Giving the Charity Regulatory Authority the legal power to investigate the financial affairs of charities should have happened years ago. It’s a welcome move indeed but of little consolation to these groups today in the here and now. With this latest scandal tainting the charity sector, their job has been made much harder. – Yours, etc,
ANNE LAWLOR,
Marino,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – Is it any wonder that the Charities Regulatory Authority finds itself faced with an impossible task? Scattered among the more than 4,000 registered charities on its database are to be found the front end of some of the wealthiest and most profitable organisations in the State. These range from the leading universities, private hospitals, private schools, Catholic Church diocesan trusts, religious orders of many types, and other church organisations of various denominations. Such organisations are to be found listed alongside thousands of genuine charities representing every strand of Irish life. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN F LOGUE,
Julianstown,
Co Meath.
Sir, – The recent controversy about Console, following on from controversies in other charities over the last few years, has strengthened my resolve not to donate to any Irish charity until the regulation of charities in Ireland is strengthened so that irregularities of any kind can be detected and corrected quickly. This needs to be done primarily by a significant strengthening of the powers of the Charities Regulatory Authority. In the meantime, charities will have to manage without my modest support. – Yours, etc,
AOIFE LORD,
Tankardstown,
Co Meath.