Sir, – Surely the main issue is not the supposed avarice of those directing charitable institutions but rather the total reliance of service users on these semi-private organisations in the first place? Why is the care of the most vulnerable in our society outsourced to bodies outside the direct control of the State?
We may pride ourselves as a nation on our generosity with our time and money to the many wonderful voluntary organisations that play such an important role in keeping our society afloat. But surely this is not the most efficient way to organise a modern society? Is it not perverse that hospitals are forced to fundraise for essential equipment and that schools rely on the not so “voluntary” contribution for basic running costs? Is it not reprehensible that the lobbying capacity of a certain charity has as much, if not more, of a bearing on the allocation of funds as the public need?
I am sympathetic to those who are sceptical when it comes to extending the remit of our troubled health services, but if we are ever to construct an integrated social and healthcare system, the State needs to take on full responsibility for the care of its citizens. Direct provision, which underpins the successful system in France for example, is not only more efficient and transparent but it also represents a rights-based approach to welfare that contrast sharply with the increasingly outdated “voluntarist” model in operation here.
We will need to abandon the feel-good factor of charity donation in favour of the less palatable option of higher taxes to ensure provision for all. We as taxpayers need to be willing to pay the price so that we as citizens can build a fairer and better system of provision. – Is mise,
DÓNAL HASSETT,
Orlynn Park,
Lusk,
Co Dublin.