Irish Rural Link
10th October 2025
Meals on Wheels Still Under Pressure After Budget 2026 Allocation
Irish Rural Link and the National Meals on Wheels Network (NMOWN) welcome the allocation of €2 million in the 2026 Budget, but express deep disappointment that the allocation will not go far enough for providers who are continuing to struggle with increased demand, rising costs and the lack of sufficient ring-fenced funding to enable them to budget adequately for a service which aligns with Sláintecare, the HSE National Service Plan, and the Programme for Government.
In 2024, over 2.8 million meals were delivered to 228,000 people by 318 HSE-funded providers nationwide. The same number if not more are on track for 2025. Yet, the sector remains overstretched, under-resourced, and reliant on a volunteer base that is rapidly declining post-COVID. The lack of strategic investment threatens the sustainability of a service that is central to community care, hospital discharge pathways, and ageing in place.
Tracey Noone, Development Officer for the NMOWN said:
“While an increase in funding is always welcome, €2 million will not go anywhere near enough to addressing the challenges faced by both the Meals on Wheels Sector and the NMOWN. This service supports older and vulnerable people to age and remain in their own homes with dignity and independence. The service is More than Just a Meal. It is a security check, a link to community and to other essential services and should be embedded and prioritised as part of the suite of healthcare services in line with Sláintecare. Without proper funding and reform, we risk losing this essential service.”
Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link said:
“We have continuously urged policymakers to recognize the strategic value of Meals on Wheels. This is a low-cost, high-impact service that deserves to be treated as a core part of our health and social care system, not an afterthought.”
Both Irish Rural Link and the National Meals on Wheels Network will be seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Kieran O’Donnell to discuss these challenges and how the sector can be adequately sustained and supported moving forward.
Ends
For further information, please contact (anytime):
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Seamus Boland (Chief Executive): 086 249 1153
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Louise Lennon (Policy and Communications Officer): 086 106 9244
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Tracey Noone (Development Officer NMOWN): 083 845 3901
About Irish Rural Link:
Irish Rural Link represents the interests of locally based rural groups in disadvantaged and marginalised rural areas by highlighting problems, advocating appropriate policies, sharing experiences and examples of good practice. It has a membership of nearly 600 rural community groups dedicated to sustainable rural development and represents rural communities at a national and international level.
About National Meals on Wheels Network:
The National Meals on Wheels Network was established under the umbrella of Irish Rural Link in 2015. The aim of the Network is to provide a local, community-led professional facility to assist people who require services to maintain optimum health, independence, with strong life-extending possibilities.