Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to protecting the current pension benefits of the CIÉ workers; if he will commit to ensuring that CIÉ immediately grants an increase to pensions in payment for CIÉ pensioners; if he will commit to delivering a truly independent investigation of CIÉ’s management and governance of the CIÉ 1951 Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4981/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Transport Act 1950, CIÉ have initiated the statutory process by submitting an amending scheme to the Minister for Transport for review to give effect to Labour Court Recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by a ballot of trade union members in May 2021. Work is ongoing in my Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation regarding the proposed amendments to the 1951 Scheme.

Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.

Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of the Deputy's question regarding the management and governance of the CIÉ 1951 Scheme to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.