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Q1. Do we still need the Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society?A1. The simple though sad answer is 'yes'. A number of families in both jurisdictions in Ireland live in relative poverty. In addition, some families find it difficult to manage financially. We find that a number of families need our regular help. There are also families that need exceptional grants to meet a crisis, special need or unforeseen circumstances.
Q2. Are there orphans in Ireland today?There are. Recently around 4% of our children had lost both parents, another 18% lost one parent. Although the other 78% were not orphans, their backgrounds reveal equally traumatic or difficult circumstances:
- 54% came from backgrounds of separation or divorce
- 11% had a single mother
- 13% had a parent who was disabled, ill, or unemployed and in
severe need
Q3. Are all applicants Presbyterian?The Society's regulations state that one parent must be a Presbyterian and this is the case with all applications to the Society.
Q4. How much do grant recipients receive from the Society?There are two types of grant received by all families - regular quarterly grants and special grants. The amount of regular quarterly grant is calculated on a per family basis and is in line with grant scales which are increased regularly to include increases in inflation. Separate special grants are paid at Christmas and in the summer and are calculated on a per child basis. The following example shows the grant payable to a family consisting of an adult and two children:
Annual Grant £720
Summer Grant £220 (estimated £110 per child)
Winter Grant £100 (estimated £50 per child)
Total grant paid to family £1040 =====
Q5. Orphan and Children’s Society grants are sometimes paid to people on benefits in Northern Ireland. Does this reduce the amount of benefits they receive and if so, isn't the Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society simply subsidising the state?Since October 2006 most charitable payments in Northern Ireland do not affect the amount of income support or income based jobseekers allowance payable. The Society is therefore free to pay grants as need dictates. Similarly in the South the Society is able to pay grants without affecting the benefits of recipients.
Q6. Does the Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society receive funding from the United Appeal?A6. No. The Society receives no funding from the United Appeal. Traditionally the Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society has operated on a separate basis and appeals directly to Presbyterian congregations and individuals for funds.
Q7. Where does the Society's money come from?A7. On average our money comes from the following sources:
- 52% Congregations and Individual Subscriptions
- 43% Investment Income
- 5% Other Income
100% Total
Q8. How is the Society's money spent?A8. Recently every £1 was spent approximately as follows:
- 75p went on grants to children and young people
- 3p went on other services for children and families
- 16p went on administration expenses
- 1p went on fundraising - 5p went on investment management -
100p Total
Q9. What other "services for children and families" are provided by the Society?A9. Services for children and families have changed over the years but are always based on the needs of Presbyterian children and families. Some children and young people who receive regular quarterly and special grants from the Society are given further financial assistance by the Society to go on the Presbyterian Family Holiday. This has proved very beneficial for all those involved.
The Society is currently involved in funding other projects, see ‘What We Do – Projects’ for details.
Q10. Is the work of the Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society being done by other secular or church agencies?A10. No, in fact the Presbyterian Orphan and Children's Society is one of the few agencies in the British Isles that still gives direct financial grants to children through families. The Society's main work is therefore virtually unique. With regard to new projects, every attempt is made to ensure that they are not simply a duplication of work by other organisations or agencies.
Q11. Why do you rarely hear of the work of the Society?A11. The main reason is that the work is confidential and although currently around 800 children are helped we cannot, nor would we wish to, identify in our publicity children being helped by the Society. Since 1866 over 41,000 children have been helped through the Society.
Q12. What steps are being taken to ensure that the Society is relevant in the future?A12. The Society is keenly aware that it needs to continually change to meet future needs of Presbyterian children and families. A Policy Committee has been set up to develop the current and future policies of the Society and ensure that it will continue to be relevant both now and in the years to come.
Q13. How many grants are given each year?A13. Recently it was calculated that the Society, per annum, gave almost 1840 regular grants, 920 special grants, 160 interim grants, and 120 exceptional grants for cases of special need. The Society is currently helping in just over 200 congregations throughout the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.