20123 (2026). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

20123 (2026). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many investigations of relationship status being clarified, if any, have, been made broken down by age, gender, and benefit type?

Hon Louise Upston: I refer the member to the attached table, which provides the number of completed investigation cases for the Financial year 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 by financial year and relationship cases (yes/no) I have been advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that, due to the way this information is recorded in its systems, it is unable to provide a more detailed breakdown. Supplying the requested information would require a review of individual client files and substantial manual collation, diverting staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time and expense involved in answering the Member’s question would not be in the public interest.