Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Finance if persons who are dismissed from the public service as a result of the marriage bar which prevailed in the past have the opportunity to gain pension recognition for their years of service which were unfairly terminated at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37181/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Prior to 1974 female officers were generally required to resign on marriage and, depending on their service, received a marriage gratuity in lieu of any pension benefits. Following the abolition of the marriage bar, any officer appointed before 1974 has the option of resigning within two years of marriage and receiving a marriage gratuity, preserving benefits when she resigns, or of remaining in employment. Officers who received a marriage gratuity and who are subsequently reappointed in an established capacity in the civil service may refund the gratuity and have all prior service aggregated with subsequent service for superannuation purposes.

I have no plans to pay pensions other than on reckonable service which is the cornerstone of Public Service Pensions. Given the accrued liabilities to date it is very important that cost increasing measures are avoided wherever possible.