Retired staff pensions
Michael Healy-Rae asked whether the Government would help retired staff associations seeking higher pensions and arbitration. The Taoiseach said the State has no role in increasing occupational pensions paid by companies.
I have a question on the programme for Government on behalf of the ESB Retired Staff Association, which encompasses the Civil Service, RTÉ, ESB, Bord na Móna, Bord Gáis, CIÉ, Eircom, pensions associations, observers from the aviation sector and airport workers. Its members are seeking an increase in their pensions and see arbitration by Government as the only solution to assist them in their quest. They are coming before an Oireachtas committee on Thursday. Will the Taoiseach and Government look at this group to see if there is any possibility of increasing those pensions because people on the State pension have rightly received an increase since 2018 and this group is seeking the same?