THE QUEEN’S INSTITUTE OF DISTRICT NURSING IN IRELAND (“QIDN”)
ANNUAL REPORT 2025
(Registered Charity Number: 20003265)
OFFICERS AND ADVISORS
President & Trustee: Ms.A.Lloyd
Vice-President: Ms.E.Adams
Trustee: Ms.G.Keehan
Treasurer: Dr.D.O’Shaughnessy
Secretary & Trustee: Mr.E.Lennon
Members of Council: Ms.M.Barnes; Ms.B.Logan; Ms.O.Hanley; Mr.M.Meagher
Principal Banker:
Allied Irish Banks
1 Lower Baggot Street,
D02X342,
Dublin 4
Auditors:
Upton Ryan,
Rockfield North,
Dundrum,
D16 W7W3,
Dublin 16
Solicitors:
Hayes Solicitors,
Lavery House,
D02 T625,
Dublin 2
Investment Manager:
Goodbody Stockbrokers,
9-12 Dawson, Street,
Dublin 2
D02YX99
Office:
Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups,
4 North Brunswick Street,
D07 RHA8,
Dublin 7
SUMMARY
The origins of The Queen’s Institute of District Nursing in Ireland go back to the eighteen hundreds.
In 1859 in Liverpool, Lucretia Wainwright Gair was nursed at home by a Mary Robinson during her final illness. Lucretia was the wife of William Rathbone who was a businessman and philanthropist. After her death William Rathbone wanted to ensure that similar care could be available to people in Liverpool who could not afford to pay for such a service. He obtained the assistance of Florence Nightingale and set up a system to train nurses to care for patients in their own homes.
1887 was the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and the women of the United Kingdom (which included Ireland at that time) raised monies as a gift to be spent according to the Queen’s wishes. She funded William Rathbone’s initiative and the Queen’s Institute of District Nursing was born and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1889. This was the beginning of the organisation of district nursing.
The Institute had its first Dublin office at 14 Nassau Street. It organised the education of district nurses, district nursing services and associated functions. It also funded pensions for district nurses.
At that time, the QIDN undertook fundraising activities to support its services. These were the first formal community nursing care services in Ireland and laid the foundations for the services we have today.
As newer systems of education for nurses came into being the QIDN terminated its training schemes for nurses in 1968 after almost 75 years.
The Institute administered its pension fund until 2003 whereafter its general endowment fund, specific trust funds and its pension and gratuity fund were amalgamated into one consolidated fund by the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland. This consolidated fund is now administered by the QIDN in accordance with its constitution (dated 2020).
There are nine members, including Trustees, on the Council of the QIDN.
All of these members provide their services on a “pro bono” basis.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Queen’s Institute of District Nursing is a registered charity in Ireland which aims to provide financial assistance for palliative care, respite care, certain types of medical mobility equipment, for individuals with a medical condition or disability, for training and education of nurses involved in palliative care and related disciplines
The funds are also intended to help where there is either undue delay in obtaining the required assistance or where funds are not available from the statutory bodies.
GRANTS
The Council of the QIDN is aware of its duties under the Charities Act in regard to public benefit. The aim is to discharge that trust by making grants to a number of beneficiaries across a wide section of the general public.
Throughout the year, the Council operated in such a way that each application received a careful, fair and responsible decision. This care was demonstrated in the time taken to examine applications on behalf of individuals and organisations and by responding as fairly as possible.
During 2025, fifty-eight applications were received.
Of these, forty-two applications were successful and awarded grants totalling €113,559.
The highest amount awarded was €10,000 and the lowest €229.
The geographical spread of the grants is shown in the chart
The grants were spread across a number of categories as follows:
The grants were spread across a number of categories as follows:
| Home Care | 4 |
| Education | 4 |
| Medical Equipment | 6 |
| Mobility Equipment | 6 |
| Sensory Equipment | 5 |
| Medical Home Improvement | 5 |
| Respite Care | 1 |
| Palliative Care | 2 |
| Nursing Care | 9 |
QIDN TRUSTEES and COUNCIL
There are three Trustees and nine members of Council, including the Trustees.
The QIDN is most grateful to these individuals for their commitment, dedication and contribution to the workings of the QIDN. This has been greatly appreciated.
During the year a Trustee/ Member of Council retired.
A new trustee was elected and also a new member of Council was recruited.
AUDIT REPORT 2024
This was completed by the auditor and approved at the AGM in June 2025.
ANNUAL PLAN 2025/2026
This was approved at the AGM in June 2025.
WEBSITE (www.qidn.ie)
The website continues to provide fundamental information about the charity, it’s personnel, it’s operation and to add significant value to the ability of the QIDN Council to process applications in a timely manner.
It continues to be enhanced as required to increases it’s functionality and suitability.
Among the improvements made was the introduction of “2-Factor Authentication” for access to the QIDN Application Database by Council Members to augment it’s security.
GOVERNANCE
The QIDN has in place policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Governance Code of the Charities Regulator.
An investment policy was drafted and approved by Council and added to the suite of policies and
procedures already held in the QIDN database.
CHARITIES REGULATOR CLASSIFICATION
The QIDN has completed the classification of the charity on the website of the Charities Regulator.
CHARITIES REGULATOR – ANNUAL REPORT
The annual report of the QIDN for 2024 was submitted to the Charities Regulator in accordance with the specified requirement.
QIDN RISK ASSESSMENT
This was reviewed and updated during the year.
REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE QIDN BY TRUSTEES
This annual review was completed.
CHARITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY (“CRA”) – COMMON INVESTMENT FUND (“CIF”)
The CRA created a trust to comply with European Union (Anti- Money Laundering: Beneficial Ownership of Trusts) Regulations 2021 (the ‘Regulations”) in relation to the CIF.
There are assets of the QIDN which are invested as units in the CIF.
Accordingly the QIDN was required to submit data to the CRA in relation to the members of the QIDN Council who were deemed to be “trustees” of the trust created by the CRA.
This was done during the year.
DATA SECURITY
The QIDN approved and put in place a new policy and procedure in relation to data security and which allows for the handling of a breach or breaches of any data held by the QIDN which may occur.
EDUCATIONAL BURSARY
An annual Educational Bursary was introduced in 2024 to provide financial support for a candidate wishing to pursue a third-level qualification in Palliative Care or associated discipline.
This feature was utilised during 2025 for a successful applicant.
TESTIMONIALS
The QIDN receives many letters of appreciation from applicants/ referees.
Among them were:
“Thank you for giving the cheque to Carol for her son, Issac. She is delighted and the new equipment for him has been purchased.”
Parents of Individual Grant Recipient.
“I just wanted to write to thank you and the other members of your board sincerely for supporting my application for funding towards my Masters. Your generosity has eased the financial burden of my studies but also given
me the encouragement and confidence to pursue my academic and professional goals wholeheartedly.
I will be sure to acknowledge Queens in any presentations or publications that arise from my Masters research in recognition of your generous support”
Palliative Care Nurse
“Dear Sir / Madam.
On behalf of Kerry Respite Care, I wish to extend our profound gratitude to the Queens Institute for the generous grant of €10,000. We are deeply honoured to receive this financial support, and it will significantly contribute to the advancement of our mission.”
Kerry Respite Care
“Just a note to say “thank you” for your support for this equipment for Declan”
Parents of Individual Grant Recipient.
“Thank you!
Your support has made a meaningful difference to this gentleman’s life and the lives of his family members – who are counting the days to his return home which has been made possible by the grant.
We truly appreciate your help”
Parents of Individual Grant Recipient.
“Please find attached the signed acknowledgement for your generous grant awarded in respect of the above named child.
Her parents are extremely grateful for this grant and have advised that it will relieve some of the pressure they are experiencing and go towards the cost of care hours for their daughter”
Medical Social Worker
On behalf of Council (January 2026):
A.Lloyd
Trustee
G.Keehan
Trustee
E.Lennon
Trustee