An Post pension increases
Deputy O’Meara asked about delayed pension increases for former An Post and Eir pensioners who rely on agreed adjustment mechanisms. The Communications Minister said the department has signed off its part, public expenditure approval remains outstanding, and the Minister for Public Expenditure said the An Post case was signed off.
In October 2025, An Post wrote to the Department of communications requesting consent for an increase to pensions of 6% from 1 January 2025 and a further increase of 1% from 1 June 2025.
Last year, the Department of communications received a request for a pension increase of 2.5% for Eir, formerly Telecom Éireann, pensioners with effect from 1 January 2025. As both Ministers will know, these pensioners do not receive increases in the State pension. They rely on the agreed adjustment mechanisms. The pension schemes are private, well regulated and in strong financial health. Our retired An Post and Eir workers have worked incredibly hard to connect generations of people in this country. They deserve these increases. They are affordable. They need them now. When will the Government sign off on the pension increases for An Post and Eir pensioners?
Comment on this
I acknowledge Deputy O'Meara for raising this matter. These are important workers who have given a huge amount of service to the State through the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, An Post, Eircom and, latterly, Eir, which is now a private company. The Department of communications has signed off on its element of this. The other element is with the Department of public expenditure and reform. We can provide a more comprehensive reply by email later on.
Comment on this
I signed off on the An Post one on Monday, so it should be concluding.