Losses on Irish pizza operations are being reduced at the Domino's Pizza UK and Ireland group from the £250,000 sterling level suffered last year. Chief executive Mr Stephen Helmsley is predicting a breakthrough to profitability in Ireland on a month-by-month basis by the end of the year.

Improvement in Irish financial results contributed to strong group figures for the half year to July 1st when pre-tax profits rose 15 per cent to £1.18 million on turnover up 33 per cent at £46.4 million. The group has 230 stores in the UK and Ireland. Shares in Domino's Pizza edged higher on the interim figures before closing unchanged at 66p.