Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
437. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline all of the grant opportunities available to meals on wheels programmes in addition to the funding available from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/25]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of meals on wheels service providers to our communities and supports such organisations through the CLÁR Programme and the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP).
The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period.
Measure 2 of the 2025 CLÁR programme includes a provision supporting vehicles for Meals on Wheels organisations. The 2025 CLÁR programme is now closed for applications and I look forward to announcing the successful projects later this year.
The LEP provides small scale funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. The fund is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority. Meals on Wheels groups may be eligible under the LEP once they meet the criteria of the scheme. They have been facilitated under the fund in previous years. The LEP 2025 is now closed for applications. Any further iterations of the fund will be considered in due course.
In addition to the above, a range of community focused facilities are funded under schemes administered by my Department such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Community Centre Investment Fund and LEADER. I am aware that these facilities can in many instances be used by Meals on Wheels groups in delivering their very valuable services in their communities.
