THE government is to force religious orders to set out full details of their assets as a condition of retaining their status as charities, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

The requirement for full financial audits will be contained in new draft legislation governing charities which will be published shortly by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon Ó Cuiv.

The minister said the changes were long overdue, but stipulated that the outcome of the audits would have no effect upon the compensation deal drawn up between the government and the 18 religious orders for claims from abuse allegations in the state's residential institutions.