Edward Timmins
Ceist:153. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the outstanding An Post and Eir pension payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16818/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (153)
Freagraí scríofa
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
In accordance with the Act and section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies: Superannuation and Remuneration Annex, 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 also requires the parent Department to seek NewERA advice in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase in pensions in payment for members and deferred members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 6% per annum with effect from 1st January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. In line with both the Code of Practice and transfer of powers from Min/Finance to MPER, which are contained in the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, Ministerial consent was granted and was conveyed to An Post on 25 February 2026.
Further to section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, as amended, and section 10 of the eircom superannuation scheme rules, my Department last August 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 submitted their report on 06 February. Having considered the report, I approved the pension increase on 12 February, after which my officials sought the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure. I am aware that the Minister for Public Expenditure gave his consent to the pension increase on 23 February. I can also advise the Deputy that I have been informed that the Minister for Finance has today Tuesday 3rd March given his concurrence to the proposed increase proposal.