HSE blamed for closure of Portlaoise Meals on Wheels 

THE HSE has been blamed for the “embarrassing” closure of Portlaoise Meals on Wheels, as efforts to restore the vital service continue.

A public meeting will be held in the parish centre at 7.30pm this Thursday, in a bid to restart the service that closed in June 2023, leaving up to 27 vulnerable people without hot meals.

The HSE, Laois County Council, Laois Partnership and members of the National Meals on Wheels Network have held meetings and secured the backing of over 30 local volunteers, but they still need an organisation to take the lead and draw down funding.

At a meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District last week, councillors strongly criticised the HSE and called on the council to contact relevant agencies in relation to restarting the service.

The proposal was made by cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, who described the situation as “embarrassing” and urged Laois County Council to take charge in finding a solution.

Cllr Fitzgerald said: “I am very disappointed. We were national news over Christmas, as we are one of the only towns of this size in Ireland that doesn’t have Meals on Wheels.

"We were at meetings in April and May to try and reorganise this and, in fairness, all parties were willing. Laois County Council, Laois Partnership and fellow councillors would all like to help however they could, but I haven’t heard a word since from any of the agencies.” 

In a written response to the proposal, council director of services Simon Walton said: ‘The National Meals on Wheels Network is committed to supporting the reintroduction of a Meals on Wheels service in Portlaoise.

‘The Network is currently pursuing a suitable, available, reliable service provider, to provide for the preparation of meals to the required standards.

‘Thereafter, subject to HSE approval, the Meals on Wheels Network are confident that other management, administrative and volunteer requirements of the service will be put in place, underpinning the re-introduction of a sustainable Meals on Wheels service in Portlaoise.’ 

Cllr Fitzgerald took issue with the line ‘subject to HSE approval’, saying: “The HSE are the people who closed Meals on Wheels in Portlaoise. They were running it and the staff in Portlaoise hospital were very happy to provide that service. The HSE stopped it and gave it to a private provider and what happened then was the providers just closed up.

“We were left as a community with no Meals on Wheels at all and there’s a huge gap there. We have to get it moving and we have to get all the agencies down to work together to provide this vital service.” 

The proposal was seconded by cllr Marie Tuohy, who recalled that she lodged a similar motion in the past. Different agencies got together and held a few meetings and she was very hopeful when the national Meals on Wheels Network got involved.

Cllr Tuohy said: “I’m very disappointed at this stage that there isn’t a more positive response from the last meeting that we had with them. It’s a vital service for a great number of people who would use it. The numbers delivered before were between 25 and 27 meals a week. I can’t even estimate the numbers that we would be delivering now.” 

Encouraging people to attend the meeting this Thursday, she added: “The more momentum we can get behind it, that’s how we can get this off the ground, but it has to be sustainable. We need to make sure that we are not back here in a year’s time.” 

 Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley also fully supported the proposal, adding that the recent bad weather highlighted the massive efforts made by Portlaoise volunteers and the necessity for Meals on Wheels. She agreed with the view that the HSE closed down the service.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said: "With the recent bad weather we had, that was when it was really felt by people. All the frontline services were out helping people. Volunteers such as Civil Defence were up morning noon and night and they were helping to bring vulnerable people to hospitals and home.

"For those who aren’t able to take care of themselves and are going home to an empty house, a meal would make such a big difference. I think with the size of our community, the volunteers are there and willing to do it. We shouldn’t be coming up against red tape for a service that never should have been discontinued.” 

 Cllr Paddy Buggy suggested that a contract could perhaps be signed with companies that provide school meals, as they are available almost all year round and have the buying power to produce meals at an affordable price.

Meals on Wheels operates in Mountmellick, Borris-in-Ossory, Durrow and Portarlington but the county’s largest town is still without the service, which relies heavily on volunteers.

Organisers are inviting anyone with an interest to attend the public meeting on Thursday 23 January, which will be attended by councillors, TDs and the National Meals on Wheels Network. More information is available at 087 9355761.