Irish charities say they are facing serious challenges and are calling on Government to support them through funding.  

The Wheel, which represents 2,400 charities, community organisations, and social enterprises, has said funding cuts during the recession have never been restored, leading to many challenges.

They are calling on Government to normalise the provision of multi-annual funding arrangements and to establish a €10m fund for organisations providing tailored supports to marginalised communities.

'So little'

Director of Advocacy and Research at The Wheel, Colette Bennett said charities are finding it increasingly difficult to deliver services due to funding issues.

“We’re trying to do so much more with just so little,” she told Newstalk.

“There were massive cuts made following the crash and we haven’t seen a restoration of those cuts.

“Other sectors have; the public sector has gradually been made whole, whereas the community, voluntary, charity sector just hasn’t.”

The Wheel is also calling on the Government to invest €500,000 in targeted civic participation activation measures in areas that “are under-represented in civic dialogue, to ensure all voices are heard”.

A man's hand holds Euro coins. Picture by: Rudy Bagozzi / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Bennett said charity work is invaluable to Irish society.

“The role and breadth of Ireland’s not-for-profit sector is not widely understood,” she said.

“While the sector tends to be associated with disability services and alleviation of poverty, it also includes sports and youth clubs, arts organisations, and tidy towns committees.

“It reaches into people’s lives in ways they don’t always recognise and plays a huge part in ensuring that our communities are happy, healthy, and inclusive.”

Ireland’s charities directly and indirectly employ over 321,000 people and spend over €31 billion every year.

Main image: Irish charities, money being saved in a glass jar. Image: villorejo / Alamy Stock Photo