Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
533. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will undertake a review of the statutory approval process governing pension scheme changes in semi State bodies, with a view to ensuring timely implementation of actuarially approved, employer funded pension increases, and to prevent unnecessary delays caused by dual ministerial sanction requirements. [12267/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies addresses the Ministerial approval process for both pension scheme amendments and pension increases proposed by commercial state bodies. The Code of Practice was amended by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 16/2021 on foot of a Government decision to re-affirm and revise the existing framework of governance procedures applying to commercial state bodies.
Under the terms of the Code of Practice, commercial state bodies must seek Ministerial approval for discretionary pension increases, which comprises the approval of the parent Minister and my consent. This process ensures due diligence and that any proposed changes, including pension increases, are sustainable.
The time taken for Ministerial approval of a scheme amendment or a discretionary pension increase can vary depending on any issues that may be facing the specific pension scheme. During 2025, the average time taken for the consideration of a pension increase consent request in my Department, following receipt of the request from the relevant parent Department, was 16 working days.
There are no plans at present to review the approval process for pension scheme amendments or discretionary pension increases.
