FUNDRAISERS HAVE REPORTED a decline in donations by up to 40 per cent in the last two weeks, in light of the negative publicity surrounding the Section 38 agencies in general and the CRC controversy in particular.

The estimated drop comes from Fundraising Ireland — the association for professional fundraisers — which says the finding is based on a straw poll and conversations with fundraising teams around the country.

CEO Anne Hanniffy said the ongoing revelations were having a devastating impact on Irish charities, and that there were serious long-term implications for trust and confidence in the sector.

“There is no denying but that this is one of the most serious periods faced by the Irish not-for-profit sector,” she said.

“I have been on the phone constantly to organisations over the past two weeks and they are extremely concerned that the people least able to live without their support – sick children, people with disabilities, families in need – are the ones who will most affected by this crisis in both confidence and donations.”

Hanniffy said all charities should publish their accounts on-line as a matter of urgent public duty. She also called on the Government to establish the Charity Regulator within the first quarter of 2014.

Read: Charities regulator to be in operation by 2014

More: 7 things we learned from the CRC’s grilling by the PAC

Related: Mater Hospital ‘refutes’ suggestions of operating a CRC ‘phantom fund’