A GLOBAL pharmaceutical company with a base in Limerick has signed a deal worth €750,000 to support the work of Family Carers Ireland (FCI).
Eli Lilly announced its collaboration with Family Carers Ireland, which will see it donating €750,000 to the charity, as well as allowing employees from their Irish sites in Limerick and Cork to volunteer with the charity to support carers in their communities.
The funding given by Eli Lilly will enable FCI to expand respite services, activities for carers, and the development of a volunteer programme, alongside enhancements to the charity’s IT infrastructure and work to increase awareness of the vital contribution family carers make to Irish society.
Family carers across Ireland provide an estimated 19 million hours of unpaid care every week, saving the State approximately €20million a year.
However, many carers continue to grapple with insufficient supports, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion.
In its 2024 report, The State of Caring, Family Carers Ireland revealed that 72 per cent of carers have never received respite.
Additionally, nearly 70 per cent of carers find it difficult to make ends meet, and over a third report that their accommodation does not meet the needs of the person they care for.
Tara Tibbs, senior vice president and general manager at Eli Lilly’s Kinsale manufacturing site said that the company is driven to make people’s lives better, “not just through the medicines we create, but by making a genuine difference in the communities we serve”.
“Lilly Ireland is really proud to collaborate with Family Carers Ireland on this initiative, giving us the opportunity to directly support the people who dedicate themselves to caring for their loved ones,” Ms Tibbs said.
Catherine Cox, head of communications and policy at Family Carers Ireland, added that “Lilly’s generous support will allow us to improve our services, raise awareness of the challenges carers face, and offer them opportunities for respite and community engagement”.
