Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide dates (details supplied) in relation to the authorisation process for pension increases agreed by An Post and the trade unions over the period January 2021 to February 2026; the control he exercises over the discretion claimed by An Post around its pension scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, that the Code of Practice is complied with and the relevant legislation is adhered to.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below. With regard to dates of agreements between An Post and Unions, such details would be held directly by An Post itself and queries regarding same should be addressed to An Post at: OireachtasEnquiries@anpost.ie
|
- |
’22 Request |
’23 Request |
’24 Request |
Jan ’25 Request |
October ’25 Request |
|
Date of Request received from An Post |
04/05/2022 |
09/03/2023 |
21/06/2024 |
23/01/2025 |
23/10/2025 |
|
Date of request for Advice from Department to NewERA |
06/07/22 |
10/03/2023 |
24/06/2024 |
28/01/2025 |
30/10/2025 |
|
Receipt of Advice from NewERA |
09/08/22 |
29/06/2023 |
16/08/2024 |
26/03/2025 |
14/01/2025 |
|
Date of Submission to DPER by DCCS |
17/08/22 |
29/08/2023 |
26/09/2024 |
13/05/2025 |
05/02/2025 |
|
Receipt of PER decision |
08/09/22 |
08/09/2023 |
15/10/2024 |
27/05/2025 |
Awaited. |
|
Date of Conveyance to An Post |
09/09/22 |
08/09/2023 |
17/10/2024 |
29/05/2025 |
Pending above |
