Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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931. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 14 May 2025, if being six months pregnant at the time of death is covered under the statement "the definition in the 2010 Act provides for a couple to become qualified cohabitants where they have lived together in an intimate and committed relationship for a period of two years or more where there are children of the relationship, or five years if otherwise”. [29954/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in my previous reply on the 14th May, the definition of a surviving qualified cohabitant contained in the Bill is aligned with the definition of qualifying cohabitants contained in the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”). This definition provides for a couple to become qualified cohabitants where they have lived together in an intimate and committed relationship for a period of 2 years or more where there are children of the relationship, or 5 years if otherwise.

Where a qualified cohabitant has met the required period of time living together, they will become eligible for the payment. I will continue to review the provisions in the Bill as it progresses through the Oireachtas. The Bill is scheduled for Dáil Select Committee Stage on 25 June. I look forward to working with the Oireachtas in ensuring this important legislation is enacted as soon as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.