Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the CIÉ pension scheme discussions; if he recognises the concerns of workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11672/21]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will sign the Statutory Instrument to implement the enhanced benefits to the CIÉ regular wages scheme pension as proposed by the WRC in December 2019 and agreed through secret ballot by the CIÉ worker-members of the regular wages scheme in June 2020. [11746/21]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make provision in the Statutory Instrument regarding the changes proposed by the Workplace Relations Commission to the CIÉ regular wages scheme pension in order that those members of the scheme who have retired since the date of the members ballot in June 2020 which agreed to those WRC proposals receive back payment of the enhanced benefits agreed under the WRC proposals to the date of their retirement. [11747/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144, 148 and 149 together.

The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”) and issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.

In relation to the RWS, CIÉ has prepared and recently submitted draft Statutory Instruments (SIs) to give effect to the proposed changes to the scheme, and these drafts are now being considered by my Department. There are several steps involved before an SI can be made, including the statutory consultation process. I understand that the Trustees of the Scheme are also consulting members prior to submission of an application to the Pensions Authority under Section 50 of the Pensions Act 1990.

Concerning the 1951 scheme, I understand that proposals related to that scheme were referred to the Labour Court, and a recommendation which emerged on 23rd November 2020 is being considered the Trade Unions and has been approved by the Company.