Chairperson of the Dáil Committee on Rural & Community Affairs, Denis Naughten TD, has confirmed the allocation of €34,660 for three local meals on wheels projects serving older people in Roscommon and East Galway.

“Over the last number of years there has been very limited access to meals on wheels services in either County Roscommon or East Galway and this announcement will help to change this situation,” said Denis Naughten.

Funding has been provided for equipment in Glenamaddy (€2,250), Shannonbridge (€12,410) and at the Melting Pot in Roscommon Town (€20,000) to improve the capacity to operate a meals on wheels service to older people within their catchment areas.

The project at the Melting Pot which has secured €20,000 is a joint venture with Roscommon LEADER and Roscommon Home Services and the plan is to use this as a template to expand this service to parts of County Roscommon and, ultimately, Galway which are currently without such a vital service.

“We have all seen how important the meals on wheels service has been during the lockdown and I now hope with this funding from Minister Heather Humphreys that we can see these services put on a formal and long term sustainable model that will deliver for older people in the months and years to come,” concluded Denis Naughten.