Vol. 562 No. 3
211 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the ban which forced women employed in local government to leave their permanent jobs on marrying was lifted; the reason these people were not allowed to return to their jobs; and if pension arrangements were made for them. [5955/03]
The requirement that women officers of local authorities resign on marriage was removed with effect from 2 August 1973 in accordance with the Local Government (Declaration of Qualifications) Order 1973. There is no provision for reinstatement of former officers in the local authority service. All employments are filled by competition open to anyone who meets the qualifications for the post.
Women who ceased to hold local authority employment because of marriage, could, subject to certain conditions, qualify for a marriage gratuity. Any such person who subsequently obtained pensionable local authority employment has an entitlement to restore their earlier service for pension purposes by repaying the marriage gratuity.
