Pension Provisions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2010

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Ceisteanna (75)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

72 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the basis on which benchmarking awards were extended to include pensioners; and if he will indicate whether pensioners in An Post are entitled to benchmarking awards that would have applied to parallel grades in the public service under the terms of the act establishing An Post which provided that there should be equivalents in terms and conditions for persons who were transferred to the new bodies. [22516/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Benchmarking increases were applied to public service pensioners at the time in the light of general policy of linking post-retirement increases in pensions to pay. The Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 provided for the transfer of certain staff from the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs to An Post. The Act also provides for not less favourable conditions in respect of their terms and conditions than those which had applied to them prior to their transfer. The Act does not provide such staff with entitlement to the benefit of subsequent pay increases awarded to civil service and related grades. The Deputy will be aware, that payments to An Post pensioners, are a matter for An Post itself in the first instance. The relevant legislation is under the aegis of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.