Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reassure the Deputy that the Minister for Transport and his officials are working closely with CIÉ to seek a resolution to the ongoing pension issues in the group. I am also advised that the key step to resolving the CIÉ pension deficit and, therefore, towards making pension increases payable is to implement the Labour Court recommendation that has previously been accepted in a ballot of the CIÉ trade union group. The Labour Court recommendation also contained an ex gratiapayment of €1 million to pensioners below the living wage, across both CIÉ pension schemes, which has already been implemented in a Workplace Relations Commission agreement in respect of the regular wages scheme for front-line staff.

Unfortunately, the conclusion of the 1951 scheme’s actuary was that there was insufficient headroom in the minimum funding standard level required and, due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the 1951 committee High Court case, it would not be prudent to award a pension increase at the current time. CIÉ began the process of amending the statutory instruments that govern the rules of the 1951 scheme to implement the Labour Court recommendation in July 2021. This process involves several formal stages, including a statutory observation period and a review period by the Department of Transport, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and NewERA. The implementation of the Labour Court recommendations protects the 1951 scheme and keeps it open. The CIÉ board has also advised the Department of Transport that if the Labour Court recommendation is not implemented, they will close the 1951 scheme to new entrants and future accrual.

On behalf of the Minister, I again acknowledge Deputy Healy-Rae for bringing this issue forward. I assure him his concerns have been heard. I will also convey the points raised to the Minister.

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