Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 2

Written Answers. - Reinstatement to Civil Service.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

59 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not gained reinstatement to the Civil Service in spite of the fact that her husband's income is below the required limits and that documentary evidence has been submitted. [9159/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The only basis in law for reinstatement is contained in section 11 of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956, as amended by the Civil Service (Employment of Married Women) Act, 1973.

Section 11 of the Civil Service Regulation Act, as amended, provides for the reinstatement of women in certain circumstances, namely if she was a civil servant, retired from the Civil Service for the purposes of, on or following marriage, and "...is for the time being a widow or woman who did not get married or in respect of whom it is established to the satisfaction of the Minister for Finance that she is not being supported by her husband". Under these provisions a married woman who is not a widow may be deemed not to be supported by her husband if his income is below certain limits. In addition the non-support must be of a long term nature. As the woman concerned did not satisfy the necessary criteria her application for reinstatement was not successful.