Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
615. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current status of agreed pension increases for retired An Post employees, including former postmen; whether these increases have been approved and implemented; the steps that are outstanding before payments issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7397/26]
View answer619. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on a pension matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7612/26]
View answer621. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason for the delay in authorising the agreed pension increases for An Post pensioners; when his Department will authorise these agreed pension increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/26]
View answer627. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if increases for An Post pensioners have been introduced; if there has been a delay in their increase; when they will be approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8334/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 615, 619, 621 and 627 together.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, namely, to increase pensions in payment for members and deferred members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 6% per annum with effect from 1st January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
