17 July 2006
CONSULTATION ON NEW CHARITY LAWS IS LAUNCHED
Proposals for a Charities Commission and Register of Charities in Northern Ireland were issued for consultation today.
The Minister for Social Development, David Hanson, said that proposed new charities legislation would change the way that government supports charities and would require them to demonstrate to the public that they are well managed.
The Minister said: "I believe the overwhelming majority of charities in Northern Ireland are well managed. But I believe that it is important to ensure that the proposed legislation strengthens the charity sector and protects it from potential abuse by those who have previously seen the lack of a charity commission in Northern Ireland as providing a soft touch. It is important that the public can be confident that when they donate to a charity that it is well run and that their money is going to that charitable cause."
At present there is no requirement for charities to register nor is there a regulating body for charities such as exists in England and Scotland. This legislation will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.
The proposals also contain new arrangements to control public collections through a system of licences and permits which any body wanting to collect money or goods would have to obtain.
The consultation period will run for 12 weeks. The Department for Social Development, which has policy responsibility for charities, will then seek to present their proposed legislation to parliament in late autumn. The legislation should be in place by late spring of 2007.
Encouraging people to respond to the consultation David Hanson said: "Whilst this will most obviously impact on charities, others who will have an interest include churches, sports groups, arts bodies and indeed the general public of Northern Ireland, who give so generously to all the charitable appeals. I would urge you to consider the proposals and offer your views."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. There are three distinct charity law regimes in the UK, each with their own legislation and administrative systems. The main differences are that at present England and Wales has a charity commission and a fully operational compulsory register of charities while Scotland has recently established a charity regulator and a register. In the Republic of Ireland new draft legislation to set up a regulator and a register has been published. Northern Ireland does not have a charity commission or a register. Tax relief for charities is an excepted matter, dealt with by the Revenue & Customs on a UK-wide basis.
2. The consultation document on new legislation seeks views on possible changes to the system of charities legislation and administration in Northern Ireland which would:-
- Introduce a Charity Commission of Northern Ireland.
- Introduce a Northern Ireland Register of Charities.
- Require Northern Ireland charities to produce accounts to a specified standard and make them available to the public.
- Make it easier for charities to dispose of land.
- Make it easier for small charities to amalgamate or wind themselves up.
3. The closing date for receipt of comments to the consultation is 13 October 2006.
4. Comments should be sent to:-
Charities Branch
Voluntary & Community Unit
Department for Social Development
3rd Floor, Lighthouse Building
1 Cromac Place
Gasworks Business Park
Ormeau Road
Belfast
BT7 2JBTel (028) 9082 9427
Fax (028) 9082 9431
Text Phone (028) 9082 9446E-Mail: kieran.doyle@dsdni.gov.uk
Website:www.dsdni.gov.uk5. Copies of the consultation document are also available at www.dsdni.gov.uk
6. Media queries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.
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