Tánaiste and Minister for State for Older People announce €2 million increase in funding for Meals on Wheels
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 20 February 2026
- Last updated on: 20 February 2026
Visiting the Meals on Wheels service at St. Munchin’s Community Centre in Limerick City today, the Tánaiste, Simon Harris and Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell, announced an increase of €2 million in the HSE funding allocation for 2026 for Meals on Wheels organisations across the country.
This additional funding, which represents an increase of over 30% on last year, brings the total dedicated funding allocation for Meals on Wheels services to €8.25 million, to deliver over 3.3 million Meals on Wheels as committed to in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026.
Funding for the national Meals on Wheels service has increased substantially in recent years from over €3 million in 2022 and it has proven to be an important component over many years of the community services offered to older people, particularly in rural areas.
There are currently 319 Meals on Wheels organisations in operation across the country delivering meals to over 18,000 people each month (on average).
The Tánaiste said:
“Enhancing and expanding the Meals on Wheels service is a priority for Government, and I am very pleased to welcome the additional €2 million that we secured in this year’s Budget.
“The Meals on Wheels service has proven itself to be a vital resource in many rural and urban communities, and the importance of the service and the social benefits both to person availing of the service and the wider community are clear. This funding will allow existing and new services to provide more meals than ever before.
“Meals on Wheels is not just about nutrition, it is also about combatting isolation and loneliness through making connections between people and their communities.
“In this spirit, I would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers who are at the heart of many these services and the tireless work done by the HSE and by community and voluntary organisations in providing Meals on Wheels services.”
Minister O’Donnell said:
“I am really pleased to have secured an additional €2 million funding in Budget 2026 funding for our national network of Meals on Wheels organisations. As we know, the service is about much more than simply a hot, nutritious meal, and is a link to the community and a friendly and caring face each day.”
“Since its establishment, the Meals on Wheels service has been an invaluable resource in helping older people in our communities to maintain their health and independence through the provision of healthy meals.
“This service benefits not only the service users themselves but also their families by providing peace of mind that their loved ones have a friendly face visiting them regularly.”
“I wish to acknowledge the valuable work of Irish Rural Link and the national Meals on Wheels Network in supporting providers.
“I would particularly like to thank all of the Meals on Wheels providers – many of them volunteers – across the country for their time, commitment and hard work to deliver this essential service, Furthermore, I would encourage anyone that thinks they, a family member or a neighbour might benefit from this great service to reach out to their local Meals on Wheels organisation.”
Notes to Editor:
The National Meals on Wheels Network was established in 2015 under the umbrella of Irish Rural Link and launched its website and an interactive map of Meals on Wheels providers in September 2021, making it very easy to find a local Meals on Wheels service in a locality.
The Network supports these providers with the practical sharing of information, training and networking, but more importantly gives them the opportunity to have their voices heard to ensure their continued work to design a country-wide model which supports service users to live independently in their own homes.