38% rise in concerns raised about charities in 2025

The Charities Regulator, the independent statutory body for registering and regulating charities in Ireland, has today published its 2025 annual report.

In Dublin, 58 new charities were registered in 2025 bringing to 3,097 the number of charities registered in the county last year.

The report shows there were 681 concerns relating to charities raised with the Regulator in 2025, an increase of 38% on 2024 (493 concerns).

This is slightly above the five-year average for the years 2021-2025 (603 concerns). Of the 681 concerns received in 2025, more than 80 related to matters not within the Regulator’s remit.

Concerns about governance standards continued to be the most common type of issue raised with the Charities Regulator, accounting for almost 40% of total concerns last year, similar to 2024 (42%). Among the governance concerns that were raised were instances of:

• dominant behaviour where an individual in a CEO, Chair or Founder role was reported to have exercised excessive control over the charity’s governance and operations
• charity trustees not being provided with information from the charity’s executive management when requested, such as detailed financial reports
• charity trustees not overseeing the running of their charity adequately.

After governance concerns, the most frequently reported concerns related to unregistered organisations holding themselves out as a charity (24%), followed by concerns about financial control and transparency (22%).

During the year the Charities Regulator held or took part in over 30 events and meetings with stakeholders across the country, including nine webinars on practical issues for trustees and charities.

Meanwhile its newly formed stakeholder forum of charity trustees, representing a cross section of charities, provided an opportunity for the Regulator and the sector to engage on policies, guidance and regulatory materials.

Launching the 2025 annual report, Madeleine Delaney, Chief Executive of the Charities Regulator, said:

“With almost 11,500 charities registered in Ireland at the end of 2025, we can expect some fluctuation in the numbers of concerns raised with the Regulator from year to year. It is important to recognise that concerns are not always complaints or about wrongdoing but also include drawing to our attention information that may warrant a closer look.

“For that reason, we are not unduly concerned by the overall number of concerns received in 2025. What is of concern, however, is the continued pattern of governance-related issues. It suggests that some trustees are not fully in control of their charities or are unsure about how to manage them effectively and make good decisions in the best interests of the organisation.

“We tend to see this most among older charities that were ‘deemed’ to be registered when the Charities Regulator was established in 2016, rather than charities that have gone through our formal registration process in the years since. Those trustees are typically more familiar with their legal duties and governance responsibilities as a result.

“Strong oversight by trustees is essential, and the law on their responsibilities is clear. Charity trustees, whether they are called a director, a board or committee member by their charity, are the people who are legally responsible for a charity.

“It is their duty to make sure their organisation is well run, meets its legal and financial obligations, and furthers its charitable purpose.

“While a board of trustees can delegate functions to employees such as a chief executive, it keeps overall responsibility for good governance.

“Our updated guidance explains the role of a charity trustee and is essential reading for anyone new to trusteeship or looking to renew their understanding of a role that they have held for some time.”

Speaking on the publication of the Annual Report, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities Jerry Buttimer T.D. said:

“’I welcome the publication of the 2025 Charities Regulator Annual Report. I note that there has been an increase in the number of concerns raised with the Regulator in 2025.

“I believe this is a positive sign that the public are aware of the work of the Regulator and the appropriate steps to take when concerning behaviour is noticed.

“I trust that the Regulator will continue to carry out its work to a high standard and will treat all concerns raised with appropriate care and attention.”

“However, it is vitally important that those involved with the running of a charity understand their role and duties under the Charities Act and take these responsibilities seriously.

“We have a wonderful tradition of supporting charitable causes all across Ireland and it is essential that the public have trust that the charities they support have high governance standards. I look forward to the good work of the Regulator continuing in 2026.’

I am continuing to work with the Charities Regulator, my Department officials and the sector as a whole to identify practical ways to make compliance as efficient and streamlined as possible. I am confident that, by working together, we will continue make progress on this in the months and years ahead.”