Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
105. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the position in respect of NewEra’s role in pension increases for An Post staff; if NewEra has advised that the increase be granted; and if he has been contacted by An Post management regarding this issue (details supplied). [31373/23]
View answer114. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a pensions agreement (details supplied) will be implemented. [30768/23]
View answer116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a pensions agreement will be implemented (details supplied). [30776/23]
View answer119. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the agreed pension increase for An Post pensioners will be paid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30792/23]
View answer125. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when Ministerial approval will issue to enable An Post to increase payments to their pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30913/23]
View answer146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify his role in respect of pension increases for An Post staff; if he has received advise that the increase be granted; and if he has been contacted by An Post management regarding this issue (details supplied). [31374/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 114, 116, 119, 125 and 146 together.
On 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent to the second phase of their current pay agreement which provides for a 2% increase in pay from 1st January 2023. In addition to this, on foot of a recent Labour Court decision, An Post also wrote to my Department on 9 March seeking approval to make increases to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of a 5% increase from 1 January 2022 and a 1% increase from 1 July 2023.
In accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, An Post must seek Ministerial approval to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. As per Circular 16/2021, all such proposals require NewERA’s views, as well as a business case setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for the proposed increase. Circular 16/2021 states that pension approval requests should be submitted for approval well in advance of any decision to implement changes in acknowledgement of the necessary processes that must be completed and in order to ensure that pension increases are not unduly delayed. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
Following receipt of the requests and associated documentation in recent weeks and months from An Post, the standard process is now being followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials being required prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
Consideration of the consent requests is well advanced and a report from NewERA is expected shortly. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision making process will be concluded.
