Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
66. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the pension increase and arrears due in January 2022 will be paid to An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/22]
View answer71. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay with the final-sign off for the 2% increase that has been due since 1 January 2022 to An Post pensioners (details supplied); and the date on which the payment will be made to these retired members. [39867/22]
View answer73. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date upon which An Post pensioners will receive their 2% promised pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39916/22]
View answer80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation the An Post pension scheme; and if he intends to accept proposed changes and a small rise in pensioners payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40077/22]
View answer81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will be in a position to support the proposed changes to the An Post pension scheme; the likely timeline for the acceptance of changes proposed by the group of unions and the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40078/22]
View answer92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when An Post pensioners (details supplied) will receive an increase in their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40277/22]
View answer100. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will authorise the payment of the 2% pensionable increase effective from 1 January 2022 to An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40529/22]
View answer127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the procedure for approving the increase in An Post pensions has been agreed by the fund trustees; and when the outstanding 2% will be paid. [41022/22]
View answer128. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address concerns regarding authorising payments that are due to An Post pensioners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41041/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 71, 73, 80, 81, 92, 100, 127 and 128 together.
Under 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 .
