The Northern Ireland Executive has announced a review of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s approach to regulation and its governance structures. 

Paul Givan, minister for communities, announced the review of the Northern Irish charity regulator last week. It will be carried out by a senior civil servant and report back in two months.

He said:“I am committed to ensuring good governance and providing the public with confidence that our charitable organisations are effectively regulated and the sector is appropriately supported.

“Regular internal governance reviews seeking assurance that statutory functions are being properly and effectively exercised reflect best practice for oversight of governance and accountability of arms length bodies.

“I have tasked my officials with providing me and the public with robust assurance that the Charity Commission is executing its duties and responsibilities in line with best practice and proportionate rigor.”

The Department for Communities said the review will cost no more than £6,000.

CCNI was set up by the Charities (Northern Ireland) Act 2008. It began registering charities in 2011 and early this year launched searchable register, allowing the public to search for financial information about charities.