Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1088. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will give consideration to a matter (details supplied). [20983/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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One of the criteria for Widow(er)'s & Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is that the applicant must be the legal widow, widower or surviving civil partner of the deceased person under Irish State law.  In order to determine this, a civil marriage certificate which has been registered with the Registrar of births, deaths and marriages, in the jurisdiction in which the marriage or civil partnership took place is required.  A church marriage certificate cannot be accepted for this purpose. 

To date, no decision has been made on their application.  We wrote to the person concerned on 01/09/2021 to advise them of the steps they need to take to have the marriage registered.  On receipt of the original civil registered marriage certificate, their application will be progressed.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.