Charity services under threat

A NATIONAL network representing over 900 charities has warned that funding cuts and a drop in public donations are forcing many charities to suspend or cut back on important services.

The warning comes as a new survey shows that charities have experienced a sharp rise in demand for their services since the beginning of this year.

The survey of 230 charities, conducted by The Wheel in July, found that 64 per cent of charities experienced a decline in their income during the first six months of this year, while 66.7 per cent report an increase in demand for their services over the same period. Almost 33 per cent of the charities surveyed have either suspended or cut back on services in the past six months.

Deirdre Garvey, chief executive of The Wheel, said charities play an indispensable role in plugging the gaps in Ireland’s welfare system by providing essential public services like housing, support and care for people with disabilities and protection for the vulnerable and socially excluded.

“They are, in effect, a safety net,

? stated Ms Garvey.

“If charities are forced to close, the most vulnerable people in our society will have nowhere else to turn.

?

The Wheel’s analysis indicates that between 2009 and 2011 State funding for the charity sector fell annually in the order of -8% to -10%. These figures contrast with Government spending changes of +6%, -3.2% and -3.2% respectively in those years.

Ms Garvey said these disproportionate cuts, coupled with a fall in donations, have led to a situation where vital supports have to be withdrawn at a time when they are most needed.

“And as a consequence, those who had no hand in the making of this crises are suffering most,

? she added.

“We need to ask ourselves: what does this say about us, as a society?

?