Call to speed up pension rights as 'cohabiting couples still discriminated against'

John O'Meara and his children Aoife, Jack and Tommy at a previous court hearing. They had launched an appeal against the refusal by the Minister for Social Protection to grant the pension following the death of Michelle Batey, who was Mr O'Meara's partner of about 20 years and the children’s mother. File picture: Collins Courts

The new Dáil is being asked to pass legislation within the first six months of the new government that would extend pension rights to a bereaved partner.

Treoir is calling on TDs and senators to fast track and pass the Bereaved Partners Pension Bill and ensure it “includes all cohabiting partners, with or without children, and provides backdated payments to eligible families”.