Sir, – Brian D’Arcy is quite correct to remind us (Letters, November 30th) of the Charitable Donation Scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, which boosts the income of charities. A lesser-known fact is that charities operating on an all-island basis have been able to avail of a similar UK scheme, referred to as “Gift Aid”, for donations from the North of Ireland.
The Westminster government slipped a clause into their last budget which disallows such payments for charities based outside the UK, without making any exceptions for this island. This will put a serious dent in the income of many charities. The way the legislation was drafted means that no resolution is possible without a functioning NI Assembly. Another “unintended consequence”? – Yours, etc,
DAVID REYNOLDS,
Bray,
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Co Wicklow.