One third of charities see budgets slashed by up to 25%

One in three charities has seen its budget slashed by up to 25% in the past three years — with a growing percentage having to cut services to keep their doors open.

The situation has been revealed in detailed research on the charity sector, conducted by six not-for-profit umbrella groups representing more than 1,000 charities.

According to the study, which has called for an end to budget cuts for the vital services, two out of every three voluntary bodies have seen their state aid slashed since Ireland entered the bailout programme.