Results 561-580 of 1,102,681 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Holly Cairns OR speaker:Mary Lou McDonald OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick OR speaker:Ciarán Cannon OR speaker:John Brady OR speaker:Niall Collins OR speaker:Eoin Ó Broin OR speaker:Frank Feighan OR speaker:Mairead Farrell OR speaker:Michael Moynihan OR speaker:Neasa Hourigan OR speaker:Niamh Smyth OR speaker:Johnny Guirke OR speaker:Stephen Donnelly OR speaker:Gino Kenny OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:Peter Burke OR speaker:Steven Matthews OR speaker:Paul Donnelly OR speaker:Danny Healy-Rae OR speaker:Mark Ward OR speaker:Verona Murphy OR speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett OR speaker:Michael Creed) in 'Committee meetings'

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

John Brady: We absolutely see the need for the regulator and the work it does in ensuring there is regulation and all the standards are adhered to, but in some cases it is construed that there is heavy-handedness in the approach taken. I do a lot of work with organisations that help the homeless, and I am sure others do as well. There was a brilliant organisation in my constituency that was set up by a...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

John Brady: I do not want to get into specific cases or anything like that, but they were certainly not masquerading as some charity. They received small donations, similar to many little groups like that. It was a coming together of community activists and people who wanted to do good. I gave the wrong figure. She was threatened with a fine of €300,000 and-or a prison sentence of up to ten...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

John Brady: She was told this is the process you need to go through. It is a cumbersome and lengthy process that would frighten the life out of anyone trying to register as a charity. The approach was very heavy-handed and wrong and there needs to be a lot more-----

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

John Brady: -----working with small groups like that which see a need to address a serious crisis, which is homelessness. Unfortunately, it was forced to cease operating like many other similar small groups.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: Good morning everyone. The witnesses are all welcome. I will stay with this issue for a minute. To go back to the consultancy costs, IT expenses totalled approximately €475,000.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: Was there an upgrade to that?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: They are included in the figure of €550,000.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: There are legal fees totalling €163,000. What type of legal work are they attributed to?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: Who took the judicial review?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: As regards the report carried out on the Peter McVerry Trust, a list of recommendations was made, one of which pertains to the Charities Regulator, namely, recommendation No. 32. That recommendation states that fundraising will be receipted appropriately and in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Regulator. That status of that recommendation is in progress. What does that mean?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: As I understand it, while it says it is in progress, the first time the Charities Regulator became aware of the action was from the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: Has the Charities Regulator had any communication with the trust with regard to action 32?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: If I am interpreting this correctly, any money contributed to the Peter McVerry Trust from any member of the public will be receipted. Therefore, if I give €10 to the Peter McVerry Trust, I must receive a receipt. The Charities Regulator does not know whether that is happening.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: Given that this is a recommendation, when will the Charities Regulator inquire as to whether that is actually being carried out?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: When does Ms Delaney expect to do that?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: It is imminent.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: Ms Delaney stated that the Charities Regulator has 47 employees with two vacancies. In the report from which we are reading, there were 44 employees in 2022 and 2023. There are now 47 with two vacancies. Is that correct?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: That is up to date.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: In 2022 and 2023, when there were 44 staff, there was an increase in salary costs of more than €200,000. What is that due to?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2023 - Charities Regulatory Authority (17 Oct 2024)

Verona Murphy: It is from the actual accounts. Maybe the witnesses from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General can help me in this regard. There is a figure of-----