Children’s charity needs €1.3m to save state €15m

A CHARITY supporting children with brain damage needs just €1.35 million in funding to save the state €15m in long-term hospital care costs.

The Jack and Jill Foundation, which helps families care for sick children in their own homes, is facing a shortfall of €450,000 this year and, while it has some spare cash to cover the deficit, its reserve fund will be completely depleted by January.

The charity is facing the prospects of having to make severe cuts in its services next year and has warned that if 100 of their 320 babies end up in hospital, the annual cost to the state will be €14.73m.