Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
47. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects to sign off the 2% increase for An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42036/22]
View answer51. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will examine an issue with a pension scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42088/22]
View answer54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when approval will issue to An Post pensioners for payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42185/22]
View answer63. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to pay the pension increase due to An Post pensioners; his views on whether it now needs to match the rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42357/22]
View answer74. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason he has not signed off on a 2% pensionable increase for An Post pensioners, which was effective from 1 January 2022; the timeline for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42633/22]
View answer106. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay since January 2022 in paying the 2% increase to An Post pensioners, which is causing financial hardship; when his Department plans to seek the approval of same from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43512/22]
View answer108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd 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; if an organisation (details supplied) has assessed the matter and made any recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43538/22]
View answer109. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the approval for an increase in the pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme by 2% per annum; if he will provide an update on the timeline for the agreed pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43554/22]
View answer123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation to the proposed 2% rise to the An Post pension scheme; when he will sanction same; the likely timeframe for payment to retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43867/22]
View answer154. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to ensure the implementation of a pension agreement from a semi-State body (details supplied). [44309/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 51, 54, 63, 74, 106, 108, 109, 123 and 154 together.
I received a recommendation from my officials on 1 September and granted my consent on 2 September to the payment of an increase of 2% to An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2022. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 7 September. An Post has been made aware of this and has communicated with the Group of Unions.
An Post formally sought Ministerial approval on 4th May of this year, in accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), to increase pensions and deferred pensions (for members of the An Post superannuation scheme) by 2% per annum with effect from 1st January 2022 and up to a further 2% per annum with effect from 1st January 2023. In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA’s views on the proposal were sought. This is to inform the business case required under DPER Circular 16/2021 (setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for providing the increases). The process is required to ensure good governance. On 9 August NewERA provided a recommendation on the proposals and my Department is obliged to be satisfied that the business case is justified, before the relevant approvals are formally sought from DPER. NewERA and the Departments worked as quickly as possible to finalise their assessment, in accordance with the governance requirements. This is the same procedure that must be followed for any State body. In relation to the proposed increase for 2023, neither my Department nor DPER is legally permitted to grant pre-approval for a pension increase at this point. An Post has accordingly undertaken to submit that request in 2023 with the appropriate financial and actuarial reports required for further analysis. When this is received the same process will have to be followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials again being required for the 2023 proposed increase prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
