Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said a new Charities Regulatory Authority will come into operation before Easter.

The establishment of a regulator of charities' affairs, which is regarded as long-overdue, has been welcomed by  groups representing charities.

The announcement was made following further revelations this week in the Central Remedial Clinic payments scandal.

Minister Shatter said the recent revelations about certain organisations in the charitable sector have understandably damaged public trust and confidence.

"The commencement of the key measures in the Charities Act will provide the increased transparency and accountability that will allow this trust to be rebuilt. I am pleased to be able to confirm that this will go ahead, with appointments to the Board of the new Authority to be made before Easter."

Arrangements are also being made to fill of the post of CEO of the new Authority on an interim basis by the end of February, the Minister said. A priority for the new regulator wil be ther establishment of a statutory register of charities.

It was revealed on Thursday that the CRC's former chief executive Paul Kiely had received a €740,000 retirement package paid for with money from the CRC's fundraising arm. He failed to reveal the true extent of his retirement settlement when he last appeared before the PAC in December.

Under the new system, all registered charities will be required to provide reports to the Authority each year on their activities and these reports will be made available to the public.

At present, many health-related charities do not give detailed information on their websites about their income and expenditure. A member of the public seeking access to the accounts of these charities in order to seek more details of how they spend the money they collect currently has to pay to view these documents through the Companies Office.

Minister Shatter said the charities register will provide a much-needed increase in transparency and accountability in the charitable sector, 'and will support the good practice in charity governance and management that is critical to a vibrant charity sector that commands the trust and confidence of donors and beneficiaries alike'.

Meanwhile, Health Minister James Reilly has said the €742,000 retirement package authorised by the the previous board of the CRC for Mr Kiely should be returned. The board resigned last month in the wake of the top-ups scandal.

He said the Government would use all available options open to it, including corporate enforcement and the Garda and the civil courts, to try and get the money back. Dr Reilly said what had happened was 'quite shameful'.

Public info lacking on charity funds spend

€740,000 charity pension pot for CRC chief