Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public pension options available to women who left the public service as a result of the marriage bar and returned to the public service in each of the years 2000 to 2005 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7684/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Prior to 1974 pensionable female Public Servants were generally required to resign on marriage and, depending on their service, received a marriage gratuity in lieu of any pension benefits.

Public Servants who received a marriage gratuity and returned to the Public Service have the option of (a) refunding the gratuity (plus interest where applicable) and having all reckonable prior service (i.e. before their resignation on marriage) aggregated with subsequent reckonable services for Superannuation purposes or (b) not refunding the gratuity and having their reckonable service for superannuation purposes commence from the date of their re-appointment only.

Public Servants who had to resign on marriage but where not eligible to receive the marriage gratuity may be able to have their entire service pensionable on payment of appropriate back contributions.