Plans to double recipients of 'Meals on Wheels' scheme

The government has issued a tender for the provision of the 'Meals of Wheels' programme that aims to double the number of elderly people entitled to the scheme.

Speaking in parliament during question time, social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia said that the government wants to ensure that the scheme will only be granted to those people who truly struggle to leave their houses to buy food.

"We must identify the people who truly require the service, and not provide it to mobile elderly people who can drive and who frequently leave their houses to attend social events," he said.

In response to questions from Opposition MPs Paula Mifsud Bonnici and Robert Cutajar, the minister denied that the service fee will rise following the issuance of the tender or that any current recipients will have the service stripped off them.

Cutajar asked which elderly people are currently receiving the service unnecessarily, and suggested that the upcoming clampdown will discriminate against elderly people.

"The physical situation of some elderly people currently receiving the service is similar to that their peers who will be denied it in the future," he argued.

Farrugia dismissed the argument, insisting that the Government shouldn't stop providing the service to anyone.