To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how changes to the Meals on Wheels Service is being rural proofed in order to protect vulnerable rurally isolated clients.

Of the two Trusts who are currently proposing to make changes to their community meals service, the Western HSC Trust has consulted with clients and/or their carers who receive the service and also with service providers. Alongside this, a comprehensive Equality Screening will be undertaken, which will include an assessment of whether the proposed changes will impact differently or unfairly on different groups of individuals, including those who live within the rural parts of the Trust’s geographical area.

The South Eastern HSC Trust has confirmed that it consulted on its proposals with people currently in receipt of its Community Meals service, and also sought views from potential future users through targeted focus groups. The Trust has also advised that the procurement of Community Meals was subject to Equality Screening in January 2013. A further rescreening exercise was undertaken in January 2015, the outcome of which was that the proposal will be subject to on-going screening.