A new study has reported that an estimated 1,200 Irish-born men and women are living with a same-sex partner in the United States.

Added to the more than 2,000 same-sex couples living in Ireland, US-based same-sex couples that include an Irish born partner would account for more than a third of these couples, the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy has found.

The study also found that more than 500 irish born same-sex partners are not US citizens and may be among those most likely to return to Ireland to take advantage of civil partnership law, when it is introduced in to Ireland.  Two thirds of irish born same-sex partners in the US are women.

Irish born same-sex partners are highly educated - more than four in ten have a college degree and more than one in seven couples that include and irish born partner are raising children.

"Irish policy makers should look beyond their shores when they consider the possible effects of civil partnership legislation, some of which might be good for the irish economy," said study author Gary Gates, Senior Research Fellow at the Williams Institute.

"Such legislation could help to entice a very talented group of irish born emigrants back to their homeland."  The study concludes that the legislation could make it easier for global companies to move lesbian and gay employees, their partners, and families from one country to another without risking the economic penalties and logistic challenges associated with the non-recognition of their relationships.

Gates notes that, "without legal recognition, it can be difficult for partners of gay and lesbian employees to obtain work permits and they can be subject to challenge regarding their parental rights."

The Irish government say that a heads of bill for civil partnership legislation will be introduced at the end of May.  It is suspected that parental rights will not be part of this document.

Irish gay rights groups have formed a coalition to demand equal rights for same-sex couples under civil marriage law in Ireland.