Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) to discuss concerns in relation to the lack of pension increases since 2008 for members of the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9082/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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From the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees, this is consistent with the pension arrangements of semi-state bodies.

I am acutely aware of concerns raised by the members of both CIÉ pension schemes, regarding the lack of pension increases since 2008, especially given the higher cost of living that many are facing. However, decisions regarding pension increases are ultimately a matter for the CIÉ Board as informed by actuarial advice and is subject to requirements imposed by statute and scheme rules.

My Department is engaged with financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority, and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the matter of bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members.

Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that members of the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951 have not received a pension increase since 2008, despite the scheme now meeting the funding standard and reserve funding standard requirements; the steps he will take to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/25]

Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with CIÉ management regarding the possibility of providing a pension increase to members of the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951, in view of the scheme's improved funding position and the impact of inflation on pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9084/25]

Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with CIÉ regarding pension increases for members of the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951; his views on whether such increases are now warranted given the scheme's funding position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9085/25]

Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the financial difficulties faced by CIÉ pensioners who do not qualify for the State pension and related benefits due to their PRSI contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9086/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 236, 237 and 238 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees, this is consistent with the pension arrangements of semi-state bodies.

I am acutely aware of concerns raised by the members of both CIÉ pension schemes, regarding the lack of pension increases since 2008, especially given the higher cost of living that many are facing.

My Department is engaged with financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority, and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the matter of bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members.

The CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit (c.€371 million for both CIÉ pension schemes at end 2023) in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension scheme into the long-term.

I would like to clarify that decisions regarding pension increases are ultimately a matter for the CIÉ Board as informed by actuarial advice and is subject to requirements imposed by statute and scheme rules. The procedure of many commercial semi state body pension scheme, including that of CIÉ, is that it is not the Minister who grants increases, rather that the Board brings forth a proposal for an increase, and the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, may then authorise the proposal.

Based on the current position of the Scheme, the Scheme Actuary is of the opinion that a pension increase is not currently affordable and that annual pension increases would not be sustainable into the future. The CIÉ Board was advised by the Scheme Actuary that the current MFS position does not create sufficient headroom to grant pension increases at this time, as such a move would put the Scheme at risk of having a deficit on an MFS basis again. In line with industry norms, and in order to achieve stability and security for all members, a MFS funding level (including the Risk Reserve) of materially in excess of 100% is required to give the Scheme sufficient resources to withstand the investment losses that could result from investment market falls.

Any proposal to increase pension benefits would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed and must be done in agreement with the Trustees of the Scheme. Awarding discretionary pension increases remains a goal of the CIÉ Group, but it is not envisaged that any such increases can be awarded from the Scheme in the near term.

The consideration of amendments to rules and policy on PRSI class and contributions, regarding access of the State Pension is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. The Department of Transport have no role or remit into the provision of pre-1995 Class D pensioners’ access to the State Pension.

Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.