Call for emergency meeting of CSPCA after staff cheques bounce
Staff salary cheques have bounced in recent weeks and the city council confirmed last night that it is reviewing the arrangements it has with the CSPCA.
The CSPCA is the primary agent acting on behalf of the city to operate the dog warden service and to provide a dog pound. It receives about €60,000 a year to provide both services.
The CSPCA also sells dog licences on behalf of the city.
But Chris Connolly, the public relations officer (PRO) of the new committee appointed to oversee the charity, went public with a range of concerns yesterday. He said the new nine-person committee, which was appointed in May, has serious concerns for the future of the CSPCA.
He claimed efforts by committee members to get answers to certain questions are being blocked. “We are going public on this for the welfare of the society,” Mr Connolly said. “I am afraid that the society may not be around for very long if things continue this way.”
He also criticised the introduction of a €30 fee which is being imposed on people who bring stray dogs to the CSPCA pound in Mahon.
Attempts to contact the CSPCA were unsuccessful yesterday.
The charity was at the centre of controversy last year after similar financial troubles led to staff not being paid for the third time in almost a year.
The then chairman, Diarmuid Kilcullen, expressed confidence last September that the charity had resolved the difficulties.
He said the society had taken steps to secure funding to ensure there would be no repeat of the situation.
At the time, he cited “substantial overheads and very sizeable veterinary expenses” which he said they were trying to meet.
The CSPCA is largely dependent on donations and bequests from benefactors.
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