Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
230. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that he has not signed off on a 2% pensionable increase for An Post pensioners, which was effective from 1 January; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37183/22]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure 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.
Under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 and the rules of the An Post Pension Scheme, pension increases or alterations to the schemes are subject to the authorisation of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In accordance with the Remuneration and Superannuation Protocol of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and Circular 16 of 2021 issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, An Post has formally sought Ministerial approval on 4 May 2022 to increase pensions in payment and deferred pensions for members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 2% per annum with effect from 1 January 2022 and up to a further 2% per annum with effect from 1 January 2023.
In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA’s views on the current proposal have been sought. This will inform the business case required under DPER Circular 16/2021, setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for providing the increases. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will then be sought.
