Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
368. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues regarding former RTÉ staff and access to pensions; if she has met the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38019/22]
View answerThe RTÉ Superannuation Scheme (RTESA), established under Statute, is sponsored by RTÉ. Section 91 of the Broadcasting Act provides for the RTÉ pension scheme on Ministerial approval with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In addition, Section 85 of the RTÉ Superannuation Scheme provides for authorisation of increases from time to time and this is for determination by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Scheme is managed by a Board of Trustees who have responsibility for overseeing the scheme’s operations, including the investment of the scheme’s assets.
Following an unsuccessful application in 2018, in December 2020, the proposal for a 2% pension increase was submitted to my Department seeking my and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform approval, as required under the governing legislation that I have outlined.
I can advise that under Regulation 85 of the RTÉSA, payment of the discretionary pension increase of 2% to RTÉ staff (backdated to January 2021) has recently been authorised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a once-off basis.
Implementation of the increase is currently being examined by RTÉ.
