Joe O'Brien

The number of charities in Ireland surpassed the 10,000 mark last year, according to the watchdog’s 2019 annual report, published today.

By the end of the year, here were 10,514 charities in Ireland, an increase of seven per cent on the previous year.

A total of 649 concerns were raised with the regulator last year, of which 166 related to the issue of bogus clothing collections. Around 92 per cent of concerns received in 2019 were closed by the end of the year.

Joe O’Brien, minister of state for community development and charities, said: “The capacity to address these concerns increased during 2019, and I would continue to urge anyone who has concerns about charities to raise these with the Regulator.

“It is important that my Department continues to support the Regulator in enabling it to carry out the functions that are intended under the Charities Act. My Department, in conjunction with the Regulator, is drafting amendments to the Act that will strengthen its regulatory functions.”