Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has taken place in the development of a professional meals on wheels service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17712/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Meals on Wheels service is an important element of the community and domiciliary care provided to older people. The Government has recognised this by providing an additional €2.5m in both 2006 and 2007 for the service. This has resulted in an increase of 50% in the funding for this service. In addition, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has provided additional capital funding to ensure that quality standards are put in place and maintained by voluntary groups. Meals on Wheels is generally provided on the basis of grant payments by the HSE to voluntary groups which in turn undertake the day-to-day management and delivery of the service.

The HSE also provides a range of other supports to the voluntary groups through the community workers in each Local Health Office area, their Environmental Health Officers and their community nutrition service. For example, training has been provided on food safety and hygiene, healthy eating and financial management. Service Level Agreements are now in place with the larger organisations who deliver this service and Community Work Departments have provided training to voluntary management committees on standards, guidelines and financial management of the service.