Social services in Mayo must to adequately supported to ensure future sustainability
Where would our greatly under pressure health services be in this country without the support of social services in urban and rural communities?
The answer is a hell of a lot worse off.
Yet, when it comes to funding these vital services, they are only in the proverbial half-penny place when compared to the HSE, frequently depending on goodwill and charitable payments to keep their doors open.
But with the increased costs of everything in recent times due to the staggering hike in energy and other bills, the challenges of maintaining these services week in and week out is becoming more and more painstaking for those involved, the vast majority of whom are volunteers.
A recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development was told that providers of meals on wheels services estimate that the funding gap between what they spend and need is between €19 million and €21 million annually.
While the people who receive meals pay around €49 per week for them, the true cost of delivering the service, including staffing, transport, energy, insurance and administration, as well an infrastructure and equipment, has gone through the roof.
In fairness to the Department of Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, headed by Mayo Minister Dara Calleary, dedicated funding, under his watch, has risen from just over €3 million in 2022 to €8.25 million this year, with a further €2 million announced in budget 2027, bringing the total allocation to €10.25 million, an important and welcome recognition of the value of the service.
Yet the funding falls short of giving providers the resources they need to move forward with confidence.
As Tracey Noone, national development officer of the Meals on Wheels Network, outlined: “We are asking for a fair and sustainable funding model for a service that communities, families and the State increasingly rely upon. Investment in meals on wheels is investment in prevention. Every meal supports health and well-being.”
The value of fully supporting the social services sector is further underlined when one realises what it coming down the line due to the nation’s ageing population.
There are currently 532,000 people over the age of 65 and it is estimated that by 2046 the figure will be 1.4 million - an increase of 167%.
The number of people aged 85 and over will almost quadruple, by 273%. This will create a massive demand on services down the road.
That’s why it is so important to support these providers now by easing their burden and ensuring they are sustainable long into the future.