Pieta has reduced its workforce by 36 positions as the suicide and self-harm prevention charity recorded a €2.5 million deficit in 2025. The latest figures show that cost-cutting helped narrow the organisation’s loss, but trustees warned that relying on reserves to fund recurring deficits cannot continue indefinitely.
Key facts from the Pieta financial report
- The charity’s deficit fell from €3.6 million in 2024 to €2.5 million in 2025.
- Staff numbers dropped from 297 to 261.
- Pieta paid €166,837 in redundancy costs.
- Overall spending fell by €1.65 million to €15.63 million.
- Total funds stood at approximately €8.17 million at the end of 2025.
- The organisation delivered 41,253 interventions to 6,029 clients during the year.
Pieta cuts workforce as charity faces continued financial pressure
The workforce reduction formed part of a wider restructuring programme designed to reduce Pieta’s cost base and protect the delivery of free clinical services. The charity’s annual report said the measures included a review of its operating model, organisational structure and ongoing expenditure.
Employee numbers fell by 36 during 2025, from 297 to 261. As a result, wage costs declined by €617,000, from €9.98 million to €9.36 million. The reduction came alongside redundancy payments totalling €166,837.
Pieta’s total expenditure decreased by 9.5 per cent, falling from €17.29 million in 2024 to €15.63 million last year. Trustees said the improvement in the deficit reflected progress in addressing costs, although the charity remains dependent on income generation and further efficiencies.
Fundraising falls while HSE income increases
Pieta’s total income declined by 4 per cent, from €13.68 million to €13.13 million. Fundraising remains a central concern, with income from the charity’s Darkness Into Light event falling by €517,000 compared with 2024. The event raised €4.52 million in 2024 and performed below target in the latest reporting period.
Chief executive Stephanie Manahan previously described fundraising as a major challenge since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the cost-of-living crisis affecting the public’s ability to donate. Reduced household spending power has created pressure across the charity sector, particularly for organisations that depend heavily on public fundraising.
Higher statutory income from the Health Service Executive provided some support. HSE funding increased from €2.8 million to €3.18 million, limiting the overall reduction in Pieta’s income.
Reserves have fallen sharply since 2021
The report highlights the longer-term financial challenge facing Pieta. Total funds have fallen from €19.36 million at the end of 2021 to about €8.17 million at the end of 2025. Funds reduced from €10.6 million at the beginning of last year to roughly €8.1 million at year-end.
Trustees said the reduction reflected the planned use of reserves to maintain free specialist services during a period of sustained financial pressure. At December 31st, 2025, reserves were sufficient to cover approximately 8.1 months of operating costs.
However, the charity acknowledged that using reserves to cover recurring operating losses is not sustainable over the long term. Its future position will depend on meeting fundraising targets, maintaining statutory support and delivering planned reductions in expenditure.
Free suicide and self-harm prevention services continue
Despite the financial pressures, Pieta continued to provide free specialist support throughout 2025. Its services assist people experiencing suicidal ideation or self-harm, as well as families and individuals bereaved by suicide.
During the year, Pieta recorded:
- 41,253 interventions.
- Support for 6,029 clients.
- 4,001 hours of direct assistance for households bereaved by suicide.
- Support for approximately 500 bereaved households.
These figures underline the scale of demand for suicide prevention and bereavement services in Ireland. The financial report makes clear that cost reductions are being pursued while the organisation seeks to preserve access to frontline care.
What happens next for Pieta?
Pieta expects its operating deficit to reduce by approximately 44 per cent year on year as restructuring and efficiency measures take effect. That forecast remains conditional on achieving fundraising goals and implementing planned changes successfully.
The charity’s financial outlook will therefore be closely linked to public donations, the performance of Darkness Into Light and continued HSE support. Any further decline in fundraising could place additional pressure on service delivery and reserves.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Pieta cut its workforce?
The cuts were part of a restructuring programme aimed at reducing operating costs and addressing recurring financial deficits.
How large was Pieta’s deficit in 2025?
Pieta recorded a deficit of €2.5 million in 2025, an improvement from the €3.6 million deficit reported for 2024.
How many people did Pieta support?
Pieta provided 41,253 interventions to 6,029 clients experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm or bereavement by suicide during 2025.
What does the report say about reserves?
The trustees said reserves covered approximately 8.1 months of operating costs at the end of 2025, while warning that using reserves for recurring deficits is not sustainable long term.
Conclusion
This Breaking News Ireland development shows the difficult balance facing Pieta: reducing costs while continuing to provide essential, free support. The smaller deficit is a positive financial movement, but falling reserves and weaker fundraising leave the charity reliant on stronger income, HSE support and further efficiencies. For people who depend on Pieta’s services, the central issue will be whether those financial measures can protect frontline support in the years ahead.
