We are delighted to share some very special news for the Jack and Jill community.
Irish Life has announced The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation as its charity partner for the next three years – marking the first time in its history that a charity has been selected for a multi-year partnership through its Irish Life Staff Charities programme.
This is a hugely significant milestone for our charity, and one that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the families we support across Ireland.
A Partnership Chosen by People
What makes this partnership even more special is that it was chosen by Irish Life employees themselves.
Through a staff vote, Jack and Jill was selected as a charity partner, reflecting the compassion, generosity and community spirit that has been at the heart of Irish Life Staff Charities since it was established in 1995.
Over the past three decades, Irish Life employees have raised more than €6.2 million for over 30 charities – with Irish Life matching every euro raised. It is an incredible legacy of giving, and we are truly honoured to now be part of that story.
Announcing the partnership, Declan Bolger, Chief Executive of Irish Life Group, said:
“Irish Life Staff Charities continues to go from strength to strength, built on more than three decades of generosity, kindness and a genuine desire from colleagues to support our communities. This is an incredible collective achievement and something we can all be proud of. I am really looking forward to working with Jack and Jill and seeing the impact we can make together for the people and communities they support.”
What This Means for Jack and Jill Families
At Jack and Jill, we support more than 490 families across Ireland who are caring for children up to the age of seven with highly complex medical needs.
Our service provides up to 100 hours per month of in-home nursing care and respite support – giving parents a much-needed break from the demands of 24/7 care. It is a service often described by families as a “lifeline” or a “gift of time.”
We operate seven days a week, with no means test, no waiting list and no red tape — ensuring families can access support when they need it most.
This three-year partnership with Irish Life will be truly transformative, helping us to sustain and grow this vital service at a time when demand continues to increase.
A Shared Commitment to Care, Compassion and Community
Welcoming the partnership, our CEO Deirdre Walsh said:
“We are deeply honoured and truly grateful to have been chosen by Irish Life employees as their charity partner for the next three years. This partnership means so much to the 490+ families we currently support across Ireland, who rely on Jack and Jill for vital in-home nursing care and respite.
At the heart of our service is a commitment to compassion, dignity and keeping children at home, where they belong, surrounded by their families. The support of Irish Life will be truly transformative, helping us to continue delivering what many parents describe as a ‘lifeline’ – precious time to rest, recharge and simply be a family.
It is especially meaningful for us to partner with an organisation that shares our values – from compassion and integrity to a deep belief in community and working together to make a real difference. We are excited to build a strong and impactful relationship with Declan and the entire Irish Life team over the next three years, and to see the incredible difference we can make together.”
Looking Ahead
Founded in 1997 by parents Jonathan Irwin and Mary Ann O’Brien, Jack and Jill has supported 3,247 families to date. In 2026, we must raise over €8.72 million to continue delivering our essential service, with approximately 20% funded by the HSE.
This partnership with Irish Life will play a critical role in helping us meet that challenge – and more importantly, in helping families across Ireland continue to care for their children at home, where they belong.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Irish Life for placing their trust in us.
Together, we look forward to making a real and lasting difference over the next three years.
