On Tuesday 21st of September 2010, Jack & Jill made a presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children. The Jack & Jill Team which comprised of C.E.O. Jonathan Irwin, Communications Director Carmel Doyle and Head Liaison Nurse Mary Joe Guilfoyle warned of a 25% to 30% cut to the home nursing care and respite packages financed and supported by Jack & Jill from 1st January 2011 if the HSE does not meet the Foundation halfway on funding and increase its annual grant from €556,000 to €1,350,000 urgently. They told of how over the past two years the cost of providing the Jack & Jill service has increased by 40% while donations are down by 25%, with the net result that Jack & Jill is facing a shortfall of €450,000 in the current year to 31st December 2010 which will be covered through the Foundation’s remaining reserves. It is estimated that the knock on effect of a 30% cut in Jack & Jill’s service which means a cut of 24 hours per month to an average family will cost the HSE an additional €14.7 million in 2011, with an estimated 100 of Jack & Jill’s 320 babies returning to hospital care which is nine times more expensive than the Jack & Jill model of home nursing care. Jack & Jill requires €225,000 per month to run its existing service and the Foundation wants the HSE to cover €112,500 per month which equates to half of the cost. The children’s charity will also meet John Moloney T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Disability and Mental Health on 12th October for an update on its funding into 2011 and beyond.(The original meeting was scheduled for the 30th September but has been postponed until the 12th of October)
Watch the recorded session here