Call to return west Mayo centre for community use as Meals on Wheels seek new home

A CENTRE at the Quay in Westport must be returned to community use to accommodate the local Meals on Wheels service, councillors are insisting.

The Quay Community Centre was given over two years ago as a temporary accommodation base for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Councillor Peter Flynn says more suitable alternative accommodation can be found for this use, with the Social Services' Meals on Wheels in need of a new base to look after the 160 plus people it provides meals for.

Meals on Wheels and the associated charity shop are having to relocate as a result of plans to redevelop the former convent in Westport.

A motion was tabled by Councillor Flynn at a municipal meeting this week asking that the Quay centre revert to community use with immediate effect and that Westport Social Services' Meals on Wheels be accommodated there while their premises on Mill Road is not available.

In a written reply, he was informed by director of services Tom Gilligan: 'The Quay Community Centre is being used and is a vital cog in our efforts to deal with Europe’s humanitarian crisis and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. There are currently no plans to change its current use of providing a much needed humanitarian support and respite from the suffering refugees are having to endure.'

Councillor Flynn said the centre had 22 campbeds on a cold floor in a cold hall and no person deserved that kind of facility. There were other options that are way more suitable, he suggested.

Meals on Wheels is an invaluable service and he wanted the building brought back to facilitate them on a temporary basis.

Municipal head Padraig Walsh agreed a location has to be found for the service.

With regards the centre, he understood it is officially committed to the department to help in the refugee response and that stands.

He was happy to persue all options for Meals on Wheels. Some arrangements will have to be made and they would work on that.

Director of services Catherine McConnell said it is a rest centre, not a place where people are accommodated long term, just a few nights. The premises is still committed.

Councillor Flynn suggested the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina as an alternative venue. It's empty, they had confirmed there is no money to fit it out, it was the perfect location and it would make some use of what is an A rated building.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy said there are elderly people in the community who needed their support. There is an urgent need.

Mr. Walsh said he will revert back to the director on the matter.