Irish charity industry in need of downsizing

A recent report has revealed that despite receiving almost €100m in state funding every year, Ireland’s homeless industry is not providing value for money as well as not achieving its objective to end homelessness. This report provides credence to the view there are too many human welfare charities in Ireland.

Not for them the aim of every charity which is to disband having achieved what they were set up in the first place for; to solve a recognised human need and then to put in place the support structure before closing down.

The existence of so many human welfare charities is impacting on the non-human charity sector. Local animal welfare charities are drowning in a sea of financial distress and a belief that human welfare charities are the first to be thought of when charity events are organised.

Given the Irish charity industry is dominated by human welfare charities who fundraise on an industrial scale and have the resources to suck up what available money that exists in society for charitable causes there is little an animal welfare charity can do other than mop up the crumbs.

In common with other industries the Irish charity industry is in need of downsizing and a realignment of resources and personnel.

John Tierney,

Chairman Waterford Animal Concern,

Larchville, Waterford