Meals on Wheels at Risk Without Immediate Budget 2026 Funding Increase
Submission Here: National Meals on Wheels Network 2026 Pre Budget Submission
The National Meals on Wheels Network, supported by Irish Rural Link, has today, Tuesday, 15th July, published its Pre-Budget Submission 2026.
€6.25 million was allocated in Budget 2025; however, this funding was not exclusively designated for Meals on Wheels. As a result, the sector remains underfunded and overstretched. Furthermore, this allocation is limited to service providers funded under HSE Section 39. Of the 308 service providers in the Meals on Wheels network, 33% do not receive any HSE funding.
Demand for Meals on Wheels services continues to rise, with 35% of providers now operating waiting lists due to a lack of capacity to meet growing needs. In response, the Network is calling for multi-annual funding with a dedicated allocation of €10 million ring-fenced specifically for Meals on Wheels. This targeted investment is crucial to ensuring that services can expand to meet increasing demand and reach all who need them.
Meals on Wheels plays a vital role in communities by enabling older people to remain in their own homes, receive a nutritious daily meal, and benefit from a much-needed daily check-in.
The Network is also calling for the continuation of the Inflationary Fund into 2026, to help service providers manage the ongoing rise in food and energy costs, which continue to place significant pressure on operations.
Aidan Farrelly of Tramore Community Care, Waterford said: "Tramore Community Care — Meals on Wheels have operated for over 50 years and have managed to cope with many challenges. Currently we are facing huge energy costs and requests for meal deliveries outside our designated area (greater Tramore area) are increasing and present a challenge we are trying to address. We support the National Meals on Wheels Network 2026 Pre Budget submission and the work they do for the sector nationwide."
For many years, the Network has advocated for the inclusion of Meals on Wheels on hospital discharge forms. This is a straightforward measure that would support earlier discharges for older patients and help reduce the risk of hospital readmission by ensuring access to a nutritious daily meal.
In addition, funding is urgently needed to address service gaps across the country. Providers employing paid staff are struggling to retain them, as many are leaving for better-paid positions within statutory services. Without adequate staffing and support, the capacity to meet demand and expand services remains limited.
Eibhlis Bray, Croom FRC Manager says: Led by the National Meals on Wheels Network, and facilitated locally by Croom FRC, Croom Meals on Wheels was established in April 2024 in addressing a noticeable gap in provision for older and vulnerable people in the Croom and surrounding area. However, Croom Meals on Wheels service is facing many challenges that risk our ability to meet current and rising demand. We do not receive any state funding for our operations so our service is completely dependent on volunteers. We are just about operating at a cost basis, excluding the additional workload for our existing staff team”.
Eibhlis continued: “We see every day the benefits Croom Meals on Wheels brings to the people who receive our meals. Croom Meals on Wheels is not just about the meal, it's about community, companionship and connection. Our service needs to be funded, to be sustainable and realistic to meet the needs of our community now and into the future. Our volunteers service 4 key routes exceeding a 50km radius twice weekly. This is the reality of supporting rurally based older and vulnerable populations and we now need urgent funding support”
Tracey Noone, Development Officer for the National Meals on Wheels Network said: “The message from Meals on Wheels providers is clear: the sector cannot continue to do more with less. Meals on Wheels is a frontline service, and it is being left behind. Meals on Wheels providers across the country are at a tipping point. Without immediate and ring-fenced funding, services across the country will be forced to cut back or close. Vulnerable older people will be left without the food and support they rely on daily. Budget 2026 must act now to deliver targeted support to avoid more waiting lists, gaps in services, more isolation, and more preventable hospital and nursing home admissions.”
The National Meals on Wheels Network Pre-Budget Submission 2026 is now available on the Networks website.
Ends
For further information, please contact (anytime):
Seamus Boland (Chief Executive) 0862491153 or Louise Lennon (Policy and Communications Officer) 0861069244
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 IRL 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.