A local TD has welcomed legislation aimed at extending the widow and widower's pension to cohabiting couples.
The Bereaved Partners Pension Bill follows a Supreme Court ruling last year the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 was incompatible with the Constitution.
The decision came after legel action taken by Tipperary man John O'Meara who was refused the payment following the death of his long-time partner and mother of his three children.
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The new bill will be renamed the Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane said the new legislation was important as family life in Ireland had changed.
She said it would offer financial support and some comfort to those who've lost loved ones:
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