Lack of a Meals on Wheels service in Portlaoise described as ’embarrassing’

The lack of a Meals on Wheels service in Portlaoise has been described as “embarrassing” as efforts continue to restore the service in the town.

Following the Christmas break, this week marked the return of local politics to Laois as the Elected Members of the Portlaoise Municipal District convened for the first time in 2025.

Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald used the meeting to ask that Laois County Council “contact the different agencies in the area with a view to reorganising meals on wheels in Portlaoise.”

The Fianna Fáil Councillor said she was “so disappointed” that Portlaoise “made the national news over Christmas as one of the only towns in Ireland the size of Portlaoise with no Meals on Wheels service.”

Cllr Fitzgerald said the situation has become “embarrassing” and urged Laois County Council to take charge in finding a solution.

This references an article published by RTÉ on December 22 where the National Meals on Wheels Network highlighted gaps in the service across the country.

Portlaoise along with Mountbellew, Galway and Dunmore East, Waterford were singled out as “leaving some elderly and vulnerable people without a hot meal.”

In response, Mr Simon Walton, Director of Services, said: “The National Meals on Wheels Network is committed to supporting the re-introduction 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 at the Regional Hospital Portlaoise were very happy to provide that service.

“The HSE stopped it and gave it to a private provider. The private provider closed up and we were left as a community with no Meals on Wheels at all.”

Portlaoise has been without a Meals on Wheels service since June 2023.

Labour Councillor Marie Tuohy, who is heavily involved in trying to restore the service to Portlaoise, also expressed her disappointment at “further dalays” in the process.

Cllr Tuohy said the service needs to be restored in a sustainable manner, “so we’re not back here again next year.”

There are currently Meals on Wheels services available in Borris-in-Ossory, Durrow, Graiguecullen, Mountmellick, Portarlington and Stradbally.

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