News Release issued by Treoir
Tuesday March 4th 2025.
Treoir has today welcomed progress on payment of the Bereaved Partners Pension to unmarried partners, but has called for consultation before final details come into effect.
Treoir’s statement follows news today that the Cabinet has approved that a Bill be published which would change an inequity in the law, and extend the Bereaved Partners Pension to partners who are not married.
To date only partners who were married have been entitled to this social support after the death of partner, excluding an estimated 150,000 cohabiting couples in Ireland.
The Bill follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling in favour of John O’Meara and his children, which recognised the rights of cohabiting partners to access the Widow’s / Widower’s Pension.
The ruling in January 2024 mandated the Government to address this inequity.
Treoir works with unmarried parents and their children and CEO Damien Peelo today said: “We welcome today’s Cabinet approval that the Bill now be presented to the Dáil, but we have not been contacted in advance and have not seen the details of what is proposed.
“Either there should be consultation with a representation of cohabiting couples affected, or a short period for scrutiny and consultation.
“It is reported that the introduction of the payment would apply to cohabiting partners with and without children, would apply from January 2024 with approximately 500 couples eligible – and Treoir welcomes this.
“However, in reality Treoir knows from working with families that there are many particular scenarios and circumstances which different families find themselves in and we need consideration and clarity that the Bill would apply fairly across all eligible families.”
Further Information
Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731.
Treoir
Treoir is the National Information Service for unmarried parents and their children providing clear and up-to-date information free of charge to parents who are not married to each other and to those involved with them. www.treoir.ie