Cii Chief Executive on Shannonside Radio

For many years now the expectations of charities have grown. Charities are often asked to meet the needs of the most vulnerable and those with the most complex problems. They are asked to step into the breach when the state services cannot cope. The sector is now, rightly, regulated, and must meet strict governance and accountability obligations. 

All these developments mean charities must have the right people employed, people with the skills and expertise needed to deliver excellent services. A nurse providing care for terminally ill patients employed by a charity must be as well qualified as an HSE nurse. A teacher of children with special needs often needs additional qualifications to support their pupils given their different needs. A care worker looking after the needs of homeless citizens needs the skills to help those with complex problems. An accountant ensuring income and expenditure by a charity is properly recorded and accounted for needs the same professional qualifications as an accountant in a business.       

So, those working for charities should not be expected to work for less than their value. All of them have the same bills and mortgages to pay as every other citizen. And every day, charities must compete with other employers to attract and retain key staff to maintain and deliver essential services.

Cii CEO Áine Myler was inteviewed by Joe Finnegan of Shannonside Radio to discuss charity CEO salaries.