Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received contact from ESB pensions in relation to seeking consent for payment of a pension increase; when there will be a decision on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

Under rule 42.4 of the Scheme rules, set out in Electricity Supply Board (Superannuation) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 18/2014), the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is required for pension increases under the Scheme.

On 22 November 2023, the Secretary of the Superannuation Committee of the ESB Defined Benefit Pension Scheme wrote to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications requesting consent for a 4.0% increase to pensions under the Scheme effective from 1 January 2024. A report on the proposed increase was completed by NewERA on 20 December which has informed the ongoing consent process.

On 17 January, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications wrote to my Department confirming the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and requesting my consent.

The proposed increase is currently being considered and a decision will be made on the matter shortly.

The consideration of the pension increase request has followed the pension increase process agreed between the ESB and both Departments and is being carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, as amended by Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular 16/2021.