New regulations will see "chuggers" or "charity muggers" abide by a strict new code of practice.
A new law set to come into force soon will ensure that chuggers (the representatives of charities who are looking for you to set up a direct debit with them) have to carry a permit, and abide by a code of strict new regulations.
Dublin City Council said the move comes after they received a number of complaints about the so-called chuggers being a nuisance on the streets, and they contacted the Charities Regulatory Authority to see what could be done. Neither body has the power to regulate how charities go about collecting money, but the number of complaints meant that action has been taken to introduce a new law and a code of practice for the workers.
Ivan Cooper, director of The Wheel (a group that represents voluntary organisations) stated that the new law will mean "those involved in direct debit collection will need permits and will be restricted to collecting on certain days in specified areas".
The main issue seems to be that people are getting approached multiple times on the same street, and the idea behind the new permits is that they will only be granted for certain areas to those who agree to abide by the code of practice. There has been no confirmation as to when the law will come into effect, but it could be as early as this summer.
Via Independent.ie. Main pic via Garry Knight/Flickr