I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department. Any proposed increases to its Defined Benefit Pension Fund require approval from myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (MPER).
My Department received three requests to apply increases to payments under the EirGrid Defined Benefit Pension Fund, relating to the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. The first request received in November 2023 (for 2023) has now been approved.
The remaining two requests, received in 2025, in relation to proposed increases for retired and deferred pensioners applicable in 2024 and 2025, have been reviewed by NewERA. They are currently being progressed and are the subject of pending legal advice. Once received, submissions relating to these requests will be prioritised by my officials for my consideration.
There has been significant engagement with EirGrid over the last two years in relation to all three proposed increase requests and I can understand the concern of EirGrid’s pensioners while awaiting the outcome of deliberations. It is important, however, that my officials ensure that all governance and legal procedures are robust, prior to approval of the current requests and any future requests.
