DFI Welcomes the Charities Regulator Announcement

Media Release

17th January 2014, Dublin

The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) today (17th January) welcomes Charities Regulator Announcement.

John Dolan, CEO of DFI stated, "This announcement by the Department of Justice and Equality on the appointment of a charities regulator is most welcome and long overdue. We at DFI have been calling for the appointment of a regulator and for better governance within charities for well over twenty years - and have consistently engaged with the Department and the sector on this issue."

Dolan went on to say "The public needs to have confidence in the charities sector and the regulator will have a key role in protecting the sector and those who support it from isolated incidents of misconduct. The charities sector has had and will continue to have a vital role to play in the provision of vitally important services in all parts of this country and regulation will benefit all involved"

He concluded "DFI has for the last 10 years been raising and improving governance practices amongst our member organisations. We emphasise the importance of monitoring and evaluation to allow organisations to measure their value and effectiveness. The regulator will put the governance of the sector on a statutory footing and this will be welcomed by the entire sector. We look forward to working with and supporting the regulator in increasing transparency and trust in the disability sector in Ireland."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

John Dolan, CEO 086 795 7467

Allen Dunne, Deputy CEO 086 850 2112