Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
462. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is sufficient provision for ring-fenced funding in budget 2024 to cover the running costs of meals-on-wheels services. [43481/23]
View answerOver many years, both Day Care and the Meals on Wheels service have proven to be important components of the community services offered to older people, particularly in rural communities.
In May 2023 I announced the allocation of €5.25 million funding for Meals on Wheels and Day Centres for older people to organisations across the country.
Budget 2024 has seen increased investment in both areas building on recent investment to support these services. Community services are the backbone of social care provision and play an important part in keeping older people out of hospital and in their own homes and communities for longer. We will be investing an additional €2.7 million in 2024 for Day Care Services and an additional €1 million for Meals on Wheels nationally.
