695. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when his Department will commence section 4 of the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024. [66390/26]

The Charities (Amendment) Act, 2024 (the ‘Act’) was signed into law by the President on 10th July 2024. The first commencement order to be introduced under the Act, S.I. No. 10 of 2025, was published on the Irish Statute book on 24th January 2025, with a commencement date of 27th January 2025. Officials from my department are currently working on finalising a second commencement order under the Act.

The Act seeks to improve the ability of the Charities Regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing greater transparency, clarity, and fairness in terms of the regulation of charities, leading to greater public trust and confidence in the sector.

Section 4 of the Charities (Amendment) Act relates to the advancement of human rights as a charitable purpose. In October 2025 the Charities Regulator established a consultative panel on the introduction of this new charitable purpose. The purpose of the group was to examine how the Regulator might deal with applications from organisations applying for charitable status and from existing charities who wish to add this purpose to their existing purposes.

I understand that this group has recently concluded its work and has produced a report which is currently being considered by the Board of the Charities Regulator.

The relevant sections of the Act will be considered for commencement when the most appropriate approach to progress this amendment has been established, taking into account the operational impacts on the Charities Regulator and the charity sector respectively.