Madeleine Delaney

The regulator received 493 concerns in 2024, down from 574 in 2023, with governance issues accounting for the largest proportion of concerns raised (42 per cent), followed by issues relating to financial control and transparency (20 per cent).

Madeleine Delaney, chief executive of the Charities Regulator, said: “The number of concerns we receive every year remains relatively low, given there are about 11,500 charities in Ireland.

“Having said that, the most common issues relate to governance, and a recurring theme is that of dominant behaviour, typically by one individual in a CEO, chair or founder role, who exerts or exercises excessive control over the charity’s governance and operations.

“This is a challenge, and it’s an area that we, as the Charities Regulator, are preparing guidance to support trustees in dealing with.”

“Although trustees are volunteers, their role carries significant responsibility.

“In the eyes of the law these volunteers, who are typically known as board or committee members, are the people responsible for the control and management of their charity. They are collectively responsible.

“While charity trustees can delegate tasks, they cannot delegate accountability.”

Over the course of 2024, the Charities Regulator closed three statutory investigations and took a range of statutory actions, including removing 38 charities from the register for failing to file annual reports as well as prosecuting eight charities for failing to file their annual report.

Some 127 new charities were registered in 2024, bringing the total number of registered charities in Ireland to 11,445 at the end of the year. A further 199 charities were deregistered during the year, including the 38 for failing to file annual reports.

Welcoming the annual report, Jerry Buttimer, minister of state with responsibility for community development and charities, said: “2024 was a very important year for the Regulator, with the appointment of both a new chair and chief executive.

“The report demonstrates the progress the Regulator has made to regulate and support the charities sector. I am confident that the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024 will provide additional transparency, fairness and clarity to charities and their trustees, and to the public.

“I also want to acknowledge the hard work of the board, management and staff of the Regulator for their support and oversight our charity sector.”