Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:124 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the reason retired Telecom Éireann pensioners have not received any of the 2.5 per cent agreed under Partnership 2000, due on 1 November 1997. [22342/98]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
I met with a delegation from the Retired Civil and Public Servant's Association last week, which also represents the pensioners of Telecom Éireann, to discuss and clarify a number of recent developments in Telecom Éireann of interest to the company's pensioners, including the matter of the payment of the 2.5 per cent increase under Partnership 2000.
At that meeting I was able to indicate that the pensioners in Telecom Éireann can expect to receive their 2.5 per cent increase, fully backdated to 1 November, 1997, in the coming weeks.
As the Deputy will be aware, pension indexation policy in the public sector generally is to link increases in pensions to general increases in the pay scales of serving staff. When increases are paid to serving staff, they are also paid to the pensioners.
Under an agreement between the management and unions at the Joint Conciliation Council in Telecom Éireann, payment of the 2.5 per cent increase under Partnership 2000 due with effect from 1 November 1997 is being deferred for employees until the terms of the employee share ownership plan (ESOP) have been finalised and implemented.
However, as I pointed out in my reply to Question No. 130 of 4 November 1998 Telecom Éireann is now making arrangements to implement the Partnership 2000 increases for its pensioners.