331. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport given that Eir is not a designated body under NewERA, the reason he has ‘sought the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on this pension increase’ which has been approved by the company and the pension trustees/managers, last July 2025. [36472/26]

In line with section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies: Remuneration and Superannuation (2021), my Department seeks the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on any proposed pension increases in respect of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme that have been submitted to me.

NewERA provides financial and commercial advice in respect of the Scheme's Eircom No. 2 Superannuation Fund to both myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to section 20 ("Financial and commercial advisory functions relating to other bodies") of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. An agreement to this effect was made between NewERA, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in 2023.

The Department informed Eir of sanction for the 2025 pension increase of 2.1% on 04 March 2026. Administration of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme, including the payment of pension benefits and approved pension increases, is a matter for the Trustees of the Scheme.