Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he intends to sign and approve the 3% pension increase, backdated to 1 July 2022, for the over 15,000 pensioners (details supplied), as approved by the company some months ago. [2468/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Generally, issues such as pension increases are matters for consideration of the sectoral Minister in the first instance and take into account the application of scheme rules as well as the overall sustainability of pension funds.

Section 10 of the Eircom scheme rules specifies that discretionary pension increases may be authorised by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance on foot of the recommendation of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

My Department received a request for a pension increase for members of the Eircom pension scheme via the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) on the 10th November 2022.

DECC and DPER have been engaging with the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) in recent weeks in relation to the increase requested. NewERA has been asked to prepare a report analysing the proposed increase and this is expected to be finalised shortly.

When NewERA’s analysis of the proposed increase has been provided, my officials and I will give full consideration to the requested pension increase. Following the granting of Ministerial consent for a pension increase the timing of the payment of the increase will be a matter for the employing body.