Hundreds of thousands of Euro worth of funding has been withheld from the country's largest Autism charity.

Autism Action Ireland revealed earlier this week that it hadn't written a budget for this year.

Its CEO Brian Murnane also admitted that its helpline was chronically understaffed, while its outreach service was dealing with only two families.

Now Autism Action is in danger of missing out on €300,000 that was raised at this year's National Pyjama Day.

Early Childhood Ireland, which supports the fundraiser, says it won't deliver the money until it's sure it will be spent where it's needed.

In a statement released on their website, ECI said: "We have informed IAA that we will be discussing the matter at our next Board meeting and have requested a clear breakdown of monies spent from PJ Day 2015."

"We also made it clear to IAA that none of the funds raised via PJ Day 2016 will be handed over until we get assurances regarding their financial situation, their sustainability and their ability to deliver on their proposal for this money."

"We continue to monitor the situation carefully, and will be in touch with more information as we get it."