Disappointment as Meals on Wheels service in Mayo area ceases after 16 years
The service, which provided 27 hot nutritional meals daily to residents in the Kilvine, Garrymore and Hollymount communities, was staffed by South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS).
There is widespread disappointment in the Ballindine, Irishtown and surrounding areas at the cessation of the Kilvine Community Meals project, which ran three days a week, for 16 years.
The service, which provided 27 hot nutritional meals daily to residents in the Kilvine, Garrymore and Hollymount communities, was staffed by South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). The meals were freshly prepared in the kitchen of Ballindine Community Centre, which was subject to regular inspections by health officers of the HSE.
Problems first surfaced earlier in the year when RSS members were means tested and two of the meals’ staff were over the income threshold to remain on the scheme. The supervisor of the scheme filled in part-time, as replacement workers were sought, but this situation was unsustainable on an ongoing basis, and when new participants couldn’t be found, the service closed.
