Lack of funds denies autistic children assistance dogs
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has changed the lives of over 250 families with children who have autism through its services since 2005.
However, dwindling donations to the Cork-based charity — which relies on fundraising to meet 80% of its €4.4m annual running costs — have forced the organisation’s chiefs to turn away new applicants.
Bosses at the centre’s base and training centre on Model Farm Rd say they are contacted “all the time” by families hoping to receive training and the benefit of an assistance dog for an autistic child.
Such is the demand for the under-resourced service, which is provided free of charge, that charity chiefs can only accommodate those already on their two- year waiting list.
Padraig Mallon, chief executive of the charity, said: “Assistance dogs transform the lives of children with autism. They give them security, confidence, and a better quality of life.
“But we’re finding it difficult to meet our €4.4m running costs, as the funds we have coming in are 20% down on what they were around six years ago. We get €840,000 from the Government towards our costs, but we need more to meet the growing demand.”
The 38-year-old charity also anticipates greater demand for its guide dogs services. At present, there are 13,000 people who are registered blind in Ireland — a figure which is set to increase to 15,000 by 2020.
Mr Mallon added: “At the moment, we are eating into our reserves to meet our running costs and working hard to turn round our fundraising.”
The organisation is holding an open day today from 12pm to 4pm at its Cork centre. Admission at the gate is €5 per person and €10 for a family.
For further information, see www.guidedogs.ie.
