Charity Technology Donation Scheme

I am delighted to be here to launch the Charity Technology eXchange programme in Northern Ireland. This is an exciting initiative which will bring tangible benefits to voluntary and not for profit organisations.

In the past year, I have visited charitable organisations, of all shapes and sizes across Northern Ireland. No matter how large or small, I have always been struck by the drive and commitment of the staff and their determination to make a difference.

Many of you will be aware that a Charities Bill is currently progressing through the Assembly.

This aims to put in place a proper regulatory framework for the charitable sector in Northern Ireland and I hope that it will also give proper recognition to the work that you do.  

The Bill is currently with the Social Development Committee and I hope to be in a position to finalise and seek Assembly approval for it by the summer recess.   

The Bill will certainly have implications for the work that you do but, I’m sure you agree, it is important that the public have full confidence in charitable giving. People who give so generously need reassurance that, when they donate, they are giving to a genuine charity.

I appreciate that fund raising is an important part of your work and regulation should help to ensure that money goes to genuinely good causes.      

I very much welcome this initiative which offers modern technology and systems to those who will be able to put it to very good use.

Technology does not drive change, it enables change. It can never replace the passion and commitment of the people involved in voluntary organisations, but it can allow them to go further and do more.

The Charity Technology eXchange will ensure that more not for profit organisations will benefit from advances in technology and I would encourage as many eligible groups as possible to apply and take maximum advantage of this opportunity.

I commend the Charity Technology Trust and all those responsible for establishing this programme in Northern Ireland. This is an outstanding example of private and voluntary sector partnership and I would congratulate Microsoft, Cisco and Symantec for supporting the initiative with substantial amounts of technology and grants.

I very much hope that the success of this initiative will encourage more private sector companies to follow this example and to develop their corporate social responsibilities.

Some local charities have already received equipment from this programme and we will hear from the Laurencetown, Lenaderg and Tullylish Community Association later.

I look forward to hearing of other beneficiaries in the local charitable sector as the technology eXchange programme is rolled out across Northern Ireland.