Mary Higgins, a teacher who took a case against Co Lao is VEC, claiming discrimination on the basis of sex, has been successful in her Labour Court case. It ruled last week that she should be awarded £2,500 compensation and promoted to an "A" post of responsibility with effect from November 1994 and also that she be paid in full from that date.

Higgins, who took her case through the Teachers' Union of Ireland, claimed she was discriminated against when she was not appointed to an "A" post of responsibility she applied for in Rathdowney. A male candidate was appointed. Although Higgins had more experience and greater qualifications than the male applicant, the interview board did not consider these qualifications relevant, according to the Labour Court.

"The VEC has failed to satisfy the court that there were valid reasons other than sex for discriminating against the claimant by failing to appoint her to a position for which she had superior qualifications and experience to the male appointee," the Labour Court said in its determination.

Declan Glynn, assistant general secretary of the TUI, said "this case sends a powerful message that sex discrimination will not be tolerated in the teaching profession and will encourage other female members to challenge sex discrimination in the workplace".