Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
312. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an increase in payment to RTÉ pensioners is under consideration; if she will indicate how long has elapsed since the last increase; and whether the process for assessing this issue can be accelerated. [46641/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI previously considered and approved a 2% increase to pensions in payment for RTÉ in May 2022, which was implemented by the Trustees of the RTÉ Pension Scheme in August 2022.
The Trustees subsequently made an application, in September 2022, for a 2.5% increase to pensions in payment, backdated to 1 January 2022. I have evaluated this request following advice from NewERA and the matter is currently subject to further review and final decision by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The Trustees of the RTÉ Pension scheme also made an application, in September 2023, for a 4.0% increase to pensions in payment, backdated to 1 January 2023. This request has been sent to NewERA for their evaluation and I am awaiting their response.
Requests for pension increases to be paid by the RTÉ Pension Scheme are made by the Trustees of the Scheme to my Department. The requests are subject to review by NewERA in the first instance, and are then submitted for my own consideration and recommendation. My recommendation then needs to be reviewed and approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in line with RTE Pension Scheme Rules. The above process is necessary to allow for a detailed and thorough consideration of the requests.
