An Post pensioners
Deputy Smith raised delays over pension increases for An Post pensioners after management and the CWU agreed a pay rise. The Tánaiste said he would first get the facts and then revert in writing.
The Tánaiste has a pensions double-header coming up from the Labour Party here.
I will be returning to the issue of the An Post pensioners. The Tánaiste will be aware that, in September of this year, An Post management agreed with the Communications Workers' Union, CWU, an increase of pensionable pay by 7%, with 6% backdated to 1 January and 1% to 1 June. The current code of practice for the governance of State bodies requires An Post to obtain ministerial approval before paying the increases mandated by the superannuation scheme rules and for Ministers to consider a review by NewERA before approving the increase. This completely unnecessary review process has been underway since 23 October. As Ministers and NewERA have no authority to disregard the rules of the scheme, why is it taking so long to approve the increases and will the Tánaiste give an unequivocal undertaking that pensioners will receive their increases before Christmas?
Comment on this
I will not give any undertaking until I get on top of the facts of it. I will certainly get on top of the facts now and will revert to the Deputy on the issue. I can only imagine the frustration of those An Post pensioners. Allow me to seek the latest update and I will revert to the Deputy on it in writing.