Free hot meals and meals-on-wheels urged to be extended in Carlow to tackle food poverty
The Minister for Social Inclusion is calling for free hot meals to be extended to early childcare settings in Carlow and across Ireland, in addition to meals-on-wheels programmes being extended for older people.
The proposals, which were included in a recent report titled ‘Food Poverty: Government Programmes, Schemes and Supports’ by Minister of State Joe O'Brien TD, are part of a new plan to tackle food poverty.
Food poverty is defined as 'the inability to have an adequate and nutritious diet due to issues of affordability or accessibility.'
Minister Joe O' Brien, TD. Pic: Twitter
The Green Party politician's report also showed that five government departments already spend €400 million a year mitigating the worst impacts of food poverty.
It said that 8.9 per cent of the population are currently in food poverty, while 6.2 per cent are in 'severe food deprivation.'
The Minister is also seeking to extend the ‘Food Dudes’ healthy eating initiative operated in some primary schools, as well as significant increases in welfare payments targeted at children to help tackle the issue.