409. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the 2% pension rise will be signed off for An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51074/26]

410. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has signed off on the request for a 2% pension increase for retirees of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51213/26]

411. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when An Post pensioners will be paid their agreed pension increase of 2%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51214/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 410 and 411 together.

Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 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 Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.

On 11 May 2026, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of 2%, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, however my Department is working closely with An Post and other relevant stakeholders to complete the process as quickly as possible.