Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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531. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are supports available for persons in receipt of social welfare payments to pay for the cost of gym memberships or fitness equipment (details supplied). [11095/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make an exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

The exceptional needs payment scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. This is done in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. Exceptional needs payments are not subject to the habitual residence condition and payments can be made to people who do not qualify for other social welfare supports.

The main items eligible for assistance under the scheme include household appliances, house “kit out” item such as flooring and essential furniture when moving into a new home, child-related costs such as prams, and assistance with funeral costs. Support is also available to assist persons under this scheme towards rent deposits.

Costs associated with gym membership or fitness equipment would not be considered an exceptional need.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional or urgent needs payment should contact my Department's Community Welfare Service. My Department has established an Income Support Line - 1890 800 024 – which can be used by customers at this time to contact the Department. Staff can advise them on how to make an application for assistance from the Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.