Public donations to guide dog charity fall by €1m

DONATIONS FROM the public to one of the country’s best-known charities, Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind (IGDFTB), dropped by €1 million or 32 per cent last year, new figures show.

In total, the charity’s overall income dropped by €2 million from €6.2 million to €4.2 million.

Former Ireland soccer captain Roy Keane has helped increase the charity’s profile since taking on the role of the Cork-based organisation’s ambassador nine years ago.

As a result of the drop in income, five employees were made redundant last year and the charity has also put in place wage cuts, with staff earning in excess of €30,000 required to take a 5 per cent drop in gross pay and all staff taking a 3 per cent cut in their employer pension contributions.

The chief executive of IGDFTB, Padraig Mallon, said yesterday: “This is not an easy time for any Irish company and it is certainly not easy for any charity.”

Mr Mallon said: “Our staff are working harder with fewer resources and it is a testament to their ability that we managed to train the highest number of people in 2010 than in our history.

“We are managing our finances prudently and despite the difficult environment we achieved an overall surplus in excess of €200,000 which will be used for investment in fixed assets.”

Mr Mallon said voluntary income to date this year had been on a par with 2010 with no further drop.

Last year, the charity became more dependent on statutory funding, representing 19 per cent of overall income compared with 14 per cent in 2009. Mr Mallon said the target was to increase the percentage of statutory funding.

The accounts state that expenditure was reduced last year by 6 per cent and 18 per cent since 2008.

Mr Mallon said it took two years and cost €38,000 to train each dog. Last year the IGDFTB trained 70 partnerships between dogs and people. There are currently 291 working guide dog and assistance dog partnerships.

Mr Mallon said there was a one-year wait for guide dogs and a four-year wait for assistance dogs who aid children with autism.

“We are currently evaluating that waiting list as to whether we can continue to take applications,” he said.

“All of our services lead to dramatic improvements in the quality of life for people who come here for training,” he added.