The Government is to examine the possibility of introducing new tax and other fiscal measures aimed at facilitating the growth of philanthropic donations by businesses and other wealthy individuals.
The action is one of a range contained in its new national policy on philanthropy for the next five years.
Other plans include identifying and putting in place measures that would encourage tax, financial, legal and other advisors to discuss philanthropy with clients.
The policy also proposes building on existing national and local Government co-funding models, including match-funding, co-granting and co-investment mechanisms.
Measures are also to be identified to encourage less developed vehicles of philanthropic funding, such as legacy giving, social outcome contracts, charitable remainder trusts and high net worth individuals.
Mechanisms to facilitate cross-border and international giving are also to be identified.
The Government wants to increase philanthropic giving from the corporate sector and grow confidence of corporate entities about the transparency and accountability of giving such donations.
The policy also lays out a range of actions around communication and awareness of philanthropy, the gathering of data and research in the area, the promotion of collaboration and awareness at Government and local Government level about the benefits and the building of capacity in the area.
"The Policy identifies a number of key themes to form the bedrock of the development of philanthropy in Ireland," said Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities Joe O'Brien.
"Government is very aware of the need to support and facilitate the generosity of the philanthropic community which contributes to a more just Ireland, and can have a positive effect on the lives of so many."
The policy was welcomed by Philanthropy Ireland which said it has advocated for it for a long time.
"It presents a durable framework which marks the willingness to stimulate philanthropic giving through practical and necessary steps," said chief executive, Éilis Murray.
"In enabling philanthropy through independent data, incentivisation and collaboration, our communities will be the beneficiaries."
