An Taisce's financial position 'of great concern'

The financial position of An Taisce is of "great concern" following a reduction in membership subscriptions by more than 40 per cent in the last two years, its annual general meeting will be told today.

Eric Conroy, honorary treasurer of the environment and heritage protection organisation, is expected to tell members at its agm in Galway that fundraising must be a key priority for the management board in the coming year.

In his annual report, circulated to members in advance of the meeting, Mr Conroy says the central message from accounts is that "finances continue to cause concern".

He says it is disappointing to report on the ongoing fall in membership subscription, down from €116,000 in 2004 to €68,000 in 2006.

"A vibrant membership base provides the lifeblood of a healthy organisation and contributes significantly to its finances," he said.

"We must re-invigorate our membership to remain as paid-up members and to encourage new membership." The organisation must get more members to sign for direct debit and should consider an increase in the subscription, which currently costs €35 a year for an individual.

An Taisce's largest running cost relates to its staff: it has 21 full- and part-time employees and last year salaries, wages and pensions amounted to €107,868, almost 50 per cent of the organisation's costs. It has 12 properties under its protection including Booterstown Marsh in south Dublin, Kanturk Castle in Cork, Gort Weigh House in Galway and An Taisce headquarters at Tailor's Hall in Dublin.

Mr Conroy says in his report that income from the organisation's education unit, which includes the Blue Flag and Green School projects, has dropped from a high of €140,000 in 2005 to €100,000 last year.

An Taisce's funding comes from corporate sponsorship including from Greenstar, Repak, Coca Cola Ireland, the Wrigley Company and the EU. Some support is received from local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Dublin Transportation Office.

In 2006, the organisation made a small surplus, mainly attributable to a legacy bequest of more than €120,000. If it had not been made, An Taisce would have been in "very difficult financial territory".