The situation has become so acute that at least one is only
managing to pay interest on its mortgage, others have warned they have
"virtually exhausted" their cash reserves and salaries and pension
payments have been reduced; while some groups have been forced to stop
providing essential services, a survey conducted by the Irish Independent reveals.
Some
40 of our leading charities responded to a series of questions about
how the recession had impacted on their day-to-day activities.
It
found that staff were taking unpaid leave to keep costs down, while
services in one children's charity – Barnardos – were suspended twice,
in 2012 and this year, to save money.
The financial situation in
Inclusion Ireland, which works with the disabled, has become so acute
that it is currently only making interest payments on its mortgage.
Special
Olympics Ireland, which has seen government funding fall by 59pc since
2008, said there was an "ever-increasing gap" between income and
outgoings.
Cash reserves had been "depleted to a critical level",
and there would be a reduction in the number of athletes taking part in
the Ireland games in Limerick next year, a spokesperson said.
SUSPEND
Umbrella
group The Wheel, which has 930 members in the sector, found that
despite some 230 charities experiencing a sharp rise in demand for
services, two-thirds had been hit with falling revenues this year.
One
in three has been forced to cut back or suspend services since the
beginning of the year, chief executive Deirdre Garvey said.
"The
evidence is that prior to the recession, 60pc of the money coming into
the voluntary sector came from the State. Now, our research tells us the
percentage is nearer 50pc.
"What we're seeing is state funding
being cut in the order of 30pc or 40pc. Voluntary sector cuts tend to go
straight through to service cuts.
"Voluntary organisations tend
to be the safety net for a lot of individuals. These cuts are
disproportionate. The Wheel understands the gap in the public finances
needs to be closed but there are choices in every Budget in how to close
the gap. The balance needs to be more even."
The
vast bulk of the charities surveyed by the Irish Independent reported
reducing costs, including salaries and administrative overheads.
However, many have still been forced to cut services.
The National Council for the Blind said financial support for specialist aids had "virtually disappeared".
Focus
Ireland, which helps those seeking a home, said any further cuts would
mean "some vital services will have to close", while Irish Guide Dogs
said funding for dogs for children with autism had been discontinued.
As well as closing for a week in 2012 and 2013, Barnardos has also been forced to wind down its literacy programme.
The Irish Cancer Society had "curtailed or deferred" activities this year; while Amnesty International was forced to let 10 staff go.
The Irish Cancer Society had "curtailed or deferred" activities this year; while Amnesty International was forced to let 10 staff go.
Oxfam Ireland closed one of its Fair Trade shops, resulting in job losses, while Trocaire had closed a number of aid programmes.
Concern said it was forced to make 500 staff redundant at home and overseas.