No Meals on Wheels in Portlaoise for Christmas

PORTLAOISE will not have Meals on Wheels this Christmas but the service is on track to return early in the new year.

People living alone are facing a third Christmas without the voluntary service, which provides not only hot meals but also company and a listening ear.

However, preparations are well advanced to restore the programme that closed in June 2023, following the success of a public campaign.

At the December meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District (MD), Cllr Marie Tuohy said: “This is the third year with no service but there won't be a fourth. It will be back, hopefully in the first quarter of next year.” 

Cllr Tuohy said there had been some misunderstanding that the service might return before Christmas, after Laois Partnership supported a campaign that began last March to revive the town’s Meals on Wheels.

Cllr Tuohy said: “It’s not available for Christmas, to correct some misunderstanding. The referrals will be through GPs and public health nurses. Laois Partnership has offered office space and training for the administrator.” 

A lot of organisation is involved in restoring the programme, including garda vetting of all volunteers who deliver hot meals door to door.

Cllr Tuohy encouraged local people to “fill the gap” this year and reach out to anyone who will be alone on Christmas Day. She also highlighted the work and dedication of Teresa McCloskey, who led the campaign to revive the service.

Cllr Tuohy said: “I'd like to ask people to be mindful over the holiday season that not everybody has an extended family or friends around them. Maybe there is somebody in your neighbourhood that might need a knock on the door.

“There are people alone. It's not just a hot meal - it might be a window to the outside world. Really great volunteers have come on board and are getting through the vetting process. It's people giving up their time to look after others. There are so many people that are in need of this service. It's a welfare check-in for the lonely.” 

The Labour councillor thanked Laois Co Council for organising meetings of local organisations during the campaign and Laois Partnership for getting funding from Portlaoise cheese factory Leprino, which will pay for the new coordinator to oversee the first year of the service.

She added that a meeting organised by Brian Stanley TD led to the use of a staff canteen for storage at the HSE's St Fintan's Hospital Campus in Portlaoise.

The imminent return of Meals on Wheels to the town was welcomed by councillors at the MD meeting, with Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald describing it as “a vital service”.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, who is on the Meals on Wheels committee, said the service was “very badly needed”, while Cllr Tommy Mulligan praised volunteers, who use their own transport to deliver meals free of charge.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said: “It's great to be back up and running after such a long gap. There is no doubt it will be a positive thing for the elderly and vulnerable in our area.” 

District chair Cllr John Joe Fennelly commented: “It’s not just meals. It’s a knock on the door, a chat, just knowing that somebody is going to be calling.” 

Cllr Paddy Buggy said his sister and brother-in-law are among those delivering meals, adding: “It’s a great service and badly needed. Well done to everybody on making it happen.” 

Council director of services Simon Walton also warmly welcomed the resumption of Meals on Wheels, which will deliver hot meals to those in need in the town and surrounding areas, up to a radius of about 10km.

When it obtained funding from Leprino, Laois Partnership said it was delighted to be able to support the voluntary committee and recruit a Meals on Wheels coordinator for 15 hours a week.

Laois Partnership said: ‘The county town has been without this vital programme since June 2023. However, as the number of residents aged 65 and over continues to rise, so too does the demand for Meals on Wheels, a crucial service that helps older adults live independently in their own homes.’