90% less trusting of Irish charities

Nine out of 10 people are less trusting of charities as a direct result of the ongoing Rehab and Central Remedial Clinic scandals — with one in four existing donors cancelling payments since the crisis emerged.

The claims have been made in a new 1,000-person national survey on the troubled sector, which has been dogged by controversy since late last year over the lucrative pay packets given to top executives.

According to the survey, conducted by iReach on behalf of research group Carat Ireland, 91% of regular charity donators are “less trusting” of groups due to the ongoing scandal.

A further 22% have or are in the process of cancelling their donations “because of the recent news”, while 83% said any future payments will only be made after a far closer examination of a charity’s credentials.

A total of 76% of respondents disagreed with the statement that the continuing problems in the charity sector have had no effect on whether they will donate, while 83% said they will “think before donating again”.

Although Justice Minister Alan Shatter appointed an interim charities regulator at the start of the month, the survey placed further pressure on him to fast-track the recruitment of full-time staff to the badly needed watchdog by warning 66% will turn their backs on charities until greater transparency can be guaranteed.

The Department of Justice’s secretary general, Brian Purcell, told the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee meeting on Thursday that officials are prioritising the creation of a Charities Regulatory Authority to ensure widespread concern over how donated money is spent can be addressed.

A previous survey by umbrella group The Wheel, found 97% of the 150 charities it represents have seen donations slump since the Rehab and Central Remedial Clinic stories were revealed. This includes drops of as much as 40% to groups like the Simon Community, Oxfam Ireland and Focus Ireland.