Peter McVerry Trust: Statement by The Wheel on Publication of Charities Regulator's Report 

The Wheel, the national association of charities, acknowledges the Charities Regulator's findings in its reports arising from its focussed statutory investigation into the governance and financial affairs of the Peter McVerry Trust. We are concerned by these findings and offer our support to the Trust in addressing the issues identified and helping the trustees to ensure compliance with the highest standards of governance in whatever way we can. 

We also wish to extend our full support to the staff working in the Trust, providing front-line, essential services to people experiencing homelessness, people struggling with addiction, and young people leaving care. Their efforts should not go unacknowledged.   

In our experience, the vast majority of sector organisations adhere to high governance standards and fully comply with relevant regulations. We and our members have consistently advocated for enhanced regulation, and we continue to work with the Charities Regulator to foster greater public trust in our collective endeavours. 

Strengthening Charities Regulation 

We recently welcomed the enactment of the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024, which strengthens charity regulation by enhancing financial transparency and clarifying charity trustees' duties. We urge the government to resource a clear commencement plan to implement these changes and to ensure that the infrastructure of compliance – both organisations and regulatory bodies – are sufficiently resourced to ensure a more robust and effective regulatory framework for Irish charities. 

As a representative body, we remain committed to collaborating with charities, state entities, and the Charities Regulator to ensure our sector continues its vital work while maintaining public trust and confidence. In our recent report on our members’ experiences of regulation, we made the following recommendations: 

1. The government should review and streamline compliance and regulatory requirements to ensure that regulation in all its forms helps, and doesn’t over-burden, sector organisations.  
2. Funding contracts for the provision of State services should include the cost of compliance. 
3. Continued support and promotion of good governance to enhance public awareness.  
4. Greater collaboration and dialogue between the sector and Government stakeholders. 

We urge all stakeholders to make every effort to ensure the effective implementation of a robust and fair regulatory framework.