21. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the increased payments to retired An Post pensioners have still not taken effect; the timeline for payment of these increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45352/24]

22. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of plans to increase payments to retired An Post pensioners; if his Department is still considering this matter; the timeline for payment of these increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45353/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.

Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.

In accordance with the act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both MECC and MPENDR to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme ("the scheme").

On June 21st, 2024, An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent for amendments to the scheme, namely a 2% increase for pensions in payment and deferred pensions with effect from January 2024. In line with both the Code of Practice for State Bodies and transfer of powers from Min/Finance to MPENDR which are contained in the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, Ministerial consent was granted and was conveyed to An Post on 21 of October 2024.

I hope you will appreciate that as the operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes, I cannot comment on when the approved increase will be received.