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Semi-State Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (79)

Paul Murphy

Question:

79. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that outstanding increases to pensions for semi-State workers are being authorised and paid over to pensioners by all Departments and State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/22]

View answer

Written answers

In the first instance, it is a matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual Commercial Semi State Bodies falls to consider and approve any changes to pension scheme rules or changes to discretionary benefits  with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This includes matters such as pension increase proposals.

Consideration of the affordability of pension increases is an important matter for review by the key stakeholders involved  in the pension schemes of the Commercial Semi State Bodies such as the parent Department, the scheme trustees and the employer. This requires careful analysis as part of the development of proposals by these bodies to ensure that pension increases are financially sustainable.

My Department considers proposals when a completed set of business case and technical assessment documents including all the necessary financial and actuarial analysis are submitted.

Under section 59 of the Pensions Act, 1990 it is a responsibility of trustees of pension schemes to ensure that arrangements are made for the payment of the benefits, as provided for under the rules of the scheme. This includes implementing increases to pension benefits once they have been properly approved by all parties and authorised for payment under scheme rules.

It is a matter for the relevant sectoral Department with responsibility for a particular Commercial Semi State Body to address whether or not there are any approved authorised pension increases which are outstanding despite having been approved.

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