Concern over the lack of funding to meet a growing demand for Meals on Wheels services across the country was raised at a recent demonstration outside Leinster House.

The National Meals on Wheels Network staged the protest alongside an information day at Buswell’s Hotel, opposite the Dáil, last week to educate and inform politicians of the funding crisis stifling the work being done across the country to feed vulnerable and elderly people, many of whom live alone in rural areas.

The network expects to deliver 2.7m meals throughout 2025, yet 35% of providers are unable to meet demand because of the lack of funding to cover staff and transport costs.

Formed in 2015 under the umbrella of Irish Rural Link, the network reports significant challenges faced by Meals on Wheels providers who are facing increased demand for the service.

The network is campaigning for increased and ring-fenced funding of €10m, a 40% increase on current levels, along with annual top up funding to help launch new services and multi-year, core funding to support staff salaries, meal delivery and insurance.

Tracey Noone, development officer with the National Meals on Wheels Network says the lack of adequate funding was leading to waiting lists and gaps in the service around the country.

Over 300 providers keep the service operational across Ireland, varying from small voluntary-led groups to medium-sized community and resource centres to larger social enterprise models

“Our protest was about educating the public while our information session was designed to inform politicians of the good work being done up and down the country by meals on wheels providers,” she says.

“If this is properly funded it can save a lot of money on hospital admissions and bed blocking and we need to highlight the reality of the current situation where providers are finding things very challenging. Some areas have seen the loss of the service while others have had to close for a time.”

Over 300 providers keep the service operational across Ireland, varying from small voluntary-led groups to medium-sized community and resource centres to larger social enterprise models.

Of the 305 providers known to the network, only 35% receive HSE funding, with the remainder reliant on other streams of income including fundraising.

“The allocation of HSE funding is very inconsistent and can vary greatly from one regional health area to another,” adds Tracey.

“The providers that aren’t funded by the HSE can be waiting up to six months for their grant aid to come through which makes it very challenging to budget for the service. They are often reliant on donations or the fee paid by the client,” Tracey says.

The network is advocating for the €10m budget to be adjusted for inflation along with an increase to the network’s budget allocation from the HSE to address the challenges faced by providers.