The Irish Red Cross is inefficient, invisible, undemocratic and overly political, its staff and members have told an internal review.
The public image of the Red Cross is "low-key and in many districts almost absent", the organisation is beset by "ongoing personality clashes and incessant infighting", and "too few people are doing too many tasks and burning out", a nationwide consultation process has found.
The views of staff and members and the conclusions of eight regional consultations are published in a new, three-year strategic plan for the organisation, which has been seen by The Irish Times.
A spokeswoman acknowledged yesterday that the society had had "a tough time" in recent years, but she said the plan dealt with the issues that had arisen and provided a way forward.
Submissions to the review complain that the organisation is "unnecessarily complex and top-heavy". Membership and voluntary input is falling and there is a "noticeable decrease" in the number of activities and projects being carried out.
"Concern was expressed about the Government's involvement in the election of members to the central council. There is a sense that the Irish Red Cross is not run democratically," a synopsis of submissions states.
The organisation has suffered a series of internal disagreements and industrial relations problems in recent years. It has had five chairmen in the past decade and a number of senior staff have resigned or been dismissed. Two years ago, an independent review was ordered to investigate staff grievances.
The resulting submissions criticise headquarters for being inefficient and unaccountable. Staff say they have received insufficient training and claim there is little advance planning, leading to an organisation that is "mainly reactive".
They also claim the decision-making process is political. Some express concern about the role of Government appointees to the central council and the process by which people are appointed. Complaints are made about "empire building" and "personal power, i.e., decisions made on who you know, not policy and procedures". The executive, rather than the council or the secretary-general, holds real power within the organisation, it is claimed.
Almost all staff say there is an over-emphasis on first aid within the Red Cross, which is hindering development of other areas.
There are differing views on the role of the organisation in relation to refugees, with some staff saying it is too late to get involved. The Red Cross operates under the aegis of the Department of Defence; its grant this year is £609,000. The patron is the President, Mrs McAleese.
The central council has now adopted the strategic plan, which recommends a series of reforms designed to improve structures and public image, as well as opening up new sources of income.
New areas in which expansion is contemplated include the integration of refugees, blood-donor services and the promotion of road safety. A phased increase in the budget will also be sought.
In the plan, the chairman of the Red Cross, former minister for foreign affairs Mr David Andrews, is confident the Red Cross will be able to adapt to changing circumstances.
