Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not have that specific figure but I will seek to provide it to the Deputy.

The analysis carried out by my Department anticipates that there will be 500 new cohabitant recipients expected annually in the initial years, with an annualised cost of approximately €50 million. It is difficult to predict those numbers with certainty. It is the Department's intention, once we have the legislation passed, to engage in an information campaign so that people who may not be aware of their entitlement will be made aware of it. We will give people the capacity to apply.

I also acknowledge the work of the O'Meara family, who had to take this case amid their grief. I thank them for that work. I will engage with them, through Deputy Kelly, in the near future.

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