21st July 2017
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Frances Fitzgerald TD today published the Registry of Friendly Societies (RFS) Annual Report for 2016.
The following three classes of body come under the remit of the Registrar of Friendly Societies:
The report shows that 26 new Industrial and Provident Societies were incorporated in 2016, compared to 24 in 2015. 1 new Trade Union was registered in 2016. Following the commencement of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2014, it is no longer possible to register a new Friendly Society
At the end of 2016, there were a total of 1014 entities registered with the RFS.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Frances Fitzgerald T.D said “the Registry of Friendly Societies plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the registered entities meet their statutory obligations in relation to filing their annual returns and accounts. Once registered, these returns are made available for inspection by the public, a very important function given this Government’s approach to the requirement of transparency and accountability across all publically registered entities. I welcome the increase in registered Industrial and Provident Societies in 2016. In the main, these societies have a profoundly positive effect on communities around the country from both a social and economic aspect, especially in rural Ireland, across all sectors”.
Also included in the RFS’s annual report:
Industrial and Provident Societies:
There were 911 Industrial and Provident Societies on the Register at the end of 2016 up from 900 in 2015.
Group Water Schemes account for 36% of the 910 Societies on the Register.
There were 18 Industrial and Provident Societies cancelled in 2016, 2 of which converted from an Industrial and Provident Society to a company.
The RFS registered 8 complete amendment and 10 partial amendment of rules applications for Industrial and Provident Societies in 2016.
Friendly Societies:
There were 47 Friendly Societies on the Register at the end of 2016, compared to 48 at the end of 2015
1 Friendly Society cancelled its registration during 2016
The RFS registered 1 complete amendment and 1 partial amendment of rules applications for Friendly Societies in 2016
Friendly Societies may no longer be registered in accordance with The Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014
Trade Unions:
There were 56 Friendly Societies on the Register at the end of 2016, compared to 55 at the end of 2015
Employee Unions account for 70% of the 56 on the register.
The RFS registered 1 complete amendment and 9 partial amendment of rules applications for Trade Unions in 2016
Media enquiries should be directed to: Press Office, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation 01-6312220 or press.office@djei.ie
Registry of Friendly Societies Annual Report 2016
Editors Notes:
The Registrar of Friendly Societies is tasked with the responsibility for the assessment and registration of applications and any subsequent amendment of rules which societies and unions are obliged to submit to the Registrar, and to ensure that registered societies and unions meet their statutory responsibilities with regard to filing returns, which are then made available to the public.
The main functions of the RFS are:
The registration of Industrial & Provident Societies and Trade Unions
The receipt and registration of documents relating to those registered societies and unions as well as those relating to Friendly Societies
The enforcement of the relevant Acts where submissions of annual returns are not made
The publication of statutory information submitted to the RFS.
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