Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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599. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any discussions with Coillte Ltd. in relation to the pension situation of former Coillte workers who have not received a pension increase since 2007; if his attention has been drawn to reports that workers who transferred to Coillte from the Civil Service were assured that their terms and conditions as civil servants would be fully maintained; the action that he proposes to take to ensure that this commitment is fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56120/22]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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623. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements that he has had with the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the pensions of persons who were employed by Coillte having previously been employed as civil servants, in his role as a shareholder in Coillte; his position on reports that retirees have seen the purchasing power of their pensions substantially decrease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56646/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 599 and 623 together.

As the Deputy may be aware Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department.

Any pension increases granted are at the discretion of Coillte and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

A request for such consent is being considered at present.