Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
372. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the statutory basis under which his Department is required to approve pension increases payable in respect of former Department of Posts and Telegraphs service under the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme; the specific legislative provisions relied upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11431/26]
View answer373. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the date on which the proposed 2.1 percent pension increase for members of the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme was formally submitted to his Department for approval; the actions taken since receipt; the reason the increase has not yet been approved or paid; and if he will provide a timeline for decision. [11432/26]
View answer374. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether NewERA has any role in the approval or scrutiny of pension increases payable under the Éircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme; the statutory or administrative basis for any such involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/26]
View answer375. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to confirm which Minister holds final decision-making authority for approving and releasing State-funded pension increases payable under the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme; whether any other Minister or agency can delay payment once approval is sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11435/26]
View answer376. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has obtained legal advice regarding the State’s obligations under section 46(4) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983 in respect of pension conditions for former Department of Posts and Telegraphs staff; and whether that provision continues to be regarded as operative. [11436/26]
View answer377. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has assessed the differential treatment in pension increases applied to members of the Eircom Superannuation Defined Benefit Pension Scheme who retired before and after January 1984; whether such differential treatment has been legally examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11437/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 377, 372, 373, 374, 375 and 376 together.
Administration of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme, including the payment of pension benefits, is a matter for the Trustees of the Scheme, in accordance with the Eircom Superannuation Scheme Rules and their Pensions Accord 2010. I have no direct day-to-day involvement in the Scheme. Where there are disputes regarding pension benefits or other pension matters, members of the pension scheme are entitled to submit an appeal under the Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedure in accordance with Circular 16/2020 (“Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedure for pension appeals in relation to beneficiaries/disputed beneficiaries of pre-existing civil service pension schemes and of certain public service pre-existing pension schemes”). My officials receive IDR appeals before submitting them to the Department of Public Expenditure for final determination.
I consider proposals for pension increases under the Eircom Superannuation Scheme in accordance with section 10 of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme Rules, which had been originally adopted under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983. Section 10 states that the company may grant such increases in such pensions and preserved pensions under this Scheme as may be authorised from time to time by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. In accordance with section 46(9) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, as amended by section 11 of the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1996 and section 64(7) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011, the Eircom No. 2 Superannuation Fund is funded on a Pay-As-You-Go basis by contributions from the Central Fund through the Minister for Finance, with the consent of, and upon request by, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Although the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and the concurrence of the Minister for Finance is required, it is the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport as the authorising Minister who holds final-decision making authority for approving and releasing State-funded pension increases under the Eircom Superannuation Scheme. It is a matter for the relevant Minister in the approval process to take any necessary time to make a determination, as appropriate to their role.
In line with section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies: Remuneration and Superannuation (2021), my Department seeks the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on any proposed pension increases in respect of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme that have been submitted to me. I consider carefully the NewERA advice and recommendations when deciding on whether to approve these proposals and submit them to DPER for the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure. Although Eir is neither a State body nor a designated NewERA body, the Ministers retain particular legacy responsibilities in respect of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme and accordingly, NewERA advice is sought and provided by them, in their role as providers of financial and commercial advice to Government Ministers and Departments.
On 08 August 2025, my Department received a request for a pension increase of 2.1% for Eir pensioners, in respect of both pre and post vesting day service, with effect from 01 July 2025. My officials sought the advice of NewERA on this pension increase proposal, who have submitted their report for my consideration. Both my approval and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation are required to give effect to this pension increase. The process to consider pension increase requests in respect of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme and in respect of pension schemes of commercial state bodies is a rigorous, multi-stage process requiring formal NewERA advice and consideration by both Ministers. Accordingly, it is not possible to set out a definite timeframe as to when a final decision will be made on the Eir pension increase request.
I am advised that the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources received legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General in 2004 regarding section 46(4) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983 in respect of pension conditions for former Department of Posts and Telegraphs staff. I can confirm that section 46(4) of the Act remains operative, as amended by section 5 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Act 1999.
