Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
151. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if NewEra has made contact with officials in his Department on the matter of an Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, board request to make a payment of 2% of their current pensions to IAA pensioners for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45300/23]
View answer152. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the long-standing grievance between Irish Aviation Authority retirees and their former employers, that is, the pension increases in accordance with section 41(5) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45301/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.
From 1 May 2023 responsibility for past pensionable remuneration for all Irish Aviation Authority (“IAA”) staff, transferred from the IAA to AirNav Ireland.
In line with the Rules of the Pension Plan any increases to pensions in payment are at the discretion of AirNav Ireland. In this regard, the Board of AirNav Ireland recently agreed to provide a 2% increase in pensions in payment with effect from 1 January 2023.
The Rules also require the authorisation of the Minister for Transport, given with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform before any such increases can be executed. In addition, Circular 16/2021 (Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies - Amendments to the Annex on Remuneration and Superannuation), provides that Ministerial approval is also required for, among other things, changes to pension scheme benefits, such as pension increases.
AirNav Ireland has sought the necessary approvals and following consideration of the matter, the required Ministerial approvals have been provided to AirNav Ireland. I have been informed by AirNav Ireland that it is now engaging with the Pension Trustees to finalise arrangements to give effect to the increase to pensions in payment which is effective from 1 January 2023.
