Governance

How We’re Governed

We’re committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance. We believe that setting and maintaining standards is a key element in demonstrating accountability to all stakeholders, funders and supporters. Since 2020 registered charities are expected to comply with the Charities Governance Code and Suas has been taking all relevant measures to ensure this. We are registered as fully compliant with the Governance Code since our annual return in October 2022. 

Suas operates under a completely transparent financial culture and all our financial statements are in our Reports and Publications section.

In addition, the Board has determined that the organisation complies with the following principles and codes of good practice:

• • Irish Charities Tax Reform Group (ICTR) Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising.
  • The SORP reporting principle for Charities.
  • Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages. 
    • Suas is an active member of Dóchas. If you would like further information about Suas’ adherence to the Code, or have any feedback or concerns please email [email protected]. If you feel we don’t adequately address your concern, you can follow the Dóchas Complaints Mechanism.
  • Comhlámh Code of Good Practice.
  • IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education (LINK: https://www.ideaonline.ie/Code-of-good-practice-development-education) 
  • Suas Child Protection Policy.

Governance Arrangements

There are clear distinctions between the roles of the Suas Board members and the executive management team. The Board is responsible for providing leadership, setting overall strategy and monitoring budgets and outcomes of the organisation. The Board is also responsible for identifying the risks affecting Suas and ensuring procedures are in place to reduce and manage the major risks identified. 

The day-to-day management is delegated to the executive management team. The executive management prepares and present policies, work plans, annual financial budgets and cash flows for consideration and approval to the Board. The Executive Director is responsible for all operational matters. There is a schedule of matters reserved to the Board for decision and a schedule of matters delegated to the Executive Director.

The Finance Sub-Committee is accountable to the board and responsible for developing and overseeing the annual budget, monitoring reserve funds, ensuring compliance with SORPs and other relevant codes and principles, and reviewing bi-monthly management accounts on behalf of the Board. The Chair David Moffitt and two other Board members with considerable financial and business experience (Ronan O’Loughlin, Ciara O’Callaghan Crehan) act on this committee, working closely with the Executive Director.