Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
449. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will give approval to a proposal submitted by EirGrid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29566/26]
View answer455. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he has reached a decision on the approval and progression of EirGrid's proposal concerning pension increases for retired and deferred members of EirGrid (details supplied); if he accepts that progressing this proposal would represent an important step toward fairness and would help ensure that these individuals are not disproportionately disadvantaged; when a decision will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30030/26]
View answer465. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to approve a request from EirGrid to implement pension increases that would include retired and deferred members; the steps he will take to ensure the preservation of the value of deferred pension entitlements among former EirGrid workers who have not yet reached retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30669/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 449, 455 and 465 together.
In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the Regulations of the EirGrid Pension Fund, pension increases for defined benefit pension schemes operating under the EirGrid Pension Fund require the approval of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and my consent.
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment confirmed the approval of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment on 19 March 2026 and sought my consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions under the EirGrid Pension Fund, effective from 1 April 2023.
I have provided my consent for this 4% pension increase and this was communicated to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment on 23 April 2026. The payment of the pension increase is a matter for EirGrid and the trustees of the EirGrid Pension Fund.
