John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to alter the existing time-limits on the designation of De Facto relationships for the purposes of granting working Visa's for non-EEA citizens whereby the current two year threshold applies an high burden on those couples wishing to reside and work here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4641/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Before being granted immigration permission to enter the workforce, persons in a "de facto" relationship must be able to satisfy the immigration authorities that the partnership is genuine and durable and that the partners are residing, or intending to reside, as a family unit in the State. In the case of a "de facto" relationship between a non EEA national and an Irish/EEA national, this is demonstrated by producing, for example, evidence of the finances of both parties, tenancy agreements, utility bills and so on covering a two year period. This is a reasonable request of anyone intending to enter/remain and work in the State based on these circumstances and as such I have no plan to make any changes to the current system.