Going to the dogs: We pay €16m a year to brutalise animals. Why?
This is the story of a little Irish company. We, the people of Ireland, own it. It’s a commercial, semi-State company. But it defies the definition of commercial, and it is 100% dependent on the State. It would more accurately be called a non-viable State company, with no future, except to be a continuing drain on tax revenue.
In 2017, the most recent year for which figures are available, its total net income was just under €18m. It lost money on all aspects of its main business. It had a turnover of €22m, but cost half-a-million more than that to run. Its administration costs, including board costs, were €2m. Its income included €16m from the taxpayer.
