Public donations to guide dogs charity fall €1m

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

In total, the charity’s overall income fell from €6.2m to €4.2m.

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

IGDB chief executive Padraig Mallon said: “This is not an easy time for any Irish company and it is certainly not easy for any charity.

“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 has been on a par with 2010, with no further drop.

The figures show the amounts bequeathed to the charity almost halved from €1.16m to €674,000.

The charity’s multi-annual funding from the HSE decreased by 6% and last year, the charity became more dependent on statutory funding, representing 19% of overall income compared to 14% in 2009.

Mr Mallon said the target is to increase the percentage of statutory funding.

The figures show that resources expended on charitable activities was €2.7m, which amounted to 71% of total expenditure.

The accounts state that expenditure was reduced last year by 6% (€228,000) and 18% since 2008.

Mr Mallon said it takes two years and €38,000 to train each dog.

Last year the IGDB trained 70 partnerships between dogs and people. There are 291 working guide dog and assistance dog partnerships.

Mr Mallon said: “Our breeding programme has been perfected within our organisation over the past thirty years. We mainly use labrador retrievers, pure-bred or crossed with a golden retriever.”

Mr Mallon added that there is 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.”

However, Mr Mallon said the IGDB can weather the economic storm

“We have built up a level of reserves which if required can be used to help us overcome any temporary difficulties. The key factor is the nationwide network of volunteers who are prepared to work hard to raise funds.”