Vol. 576 No. 1
114 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will address the anomaly currently pertaining whereby a cohabiting couple are treated as a married couple for the purpose of qualifying for social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28067/03]
Prior to 1989, cohabiting couples were treated as single people for means testing and payments purposes under the social welfare code and therefore had an enhanced position over married couples. Arising from a Supreme Court judgment on this treatment in that year, these arrangements were changed and such couples became subject to the same means testing and payment arrangements as apply to married couples. There are currently no plans for changes to these arrangements.
