State funding and staffing crisis leaves some charities at risk of collapse 

Ivan Cooper, chief executive of The Wheel: 'The State has for many decades relied on charities to deliver almost one-third of all public services in key areas like health, children, older people, disability, addiction and homelessness.' Picture: Maxwells

Irish disability and homecare charities are at risk of collapse in the coming months due to an ongoing State funding and staffing crisis, a conference for the sector heard on Tuesday.

An existing pay disparity between workers within bodies such as the HSE and the voluntary sector means “charities can no longer recruit and retain qualified staff”, according to Ivan Cooper, the new chief executive of The Wheel — Ireland's national association of charities.