Michael McCarthy (Labour)

Will the Leader seek clarity from the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding a press release he issued in April 2006 relating to lone parents? At that stage he stated, he would "end the cohabitation rule by making it neutral in terms of influencing people's basic choices regarding their living arrangements". I contacted the Department last week on behalf of an individual who came to my clinic who was using this provision to get a mortgage. This person wanted to progress but was refused a mortgage on the basis that this provision has not yet come into effect. I phoned the Minister's office on a number of occasions and spoke to civil servants but they said the measure had not yet come into effect. I am interested to learn when the Minister intends introducing this measure as it is creating difficulty for many lone parents around the country.