Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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797. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of some retired Coillte staff (details supplied) regarding the lack of increase in pension levels since 2007; if he has any plans to engage with this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59476/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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 the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

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.

Such consent has been sought by Coillte and has recently been granted. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.