367. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he expects the approval process for the agreed increase in pensions under the An Post pension scheme to be completed; the stage the process is currently at; if outstanding issues remain to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53006/26]

368. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the role his Department has in approving the agreed increase in pensions under the An Post Pension scheme; whether his approval has yet been given; when pensioners can expect a final decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53007/26]

371. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a timeline for the pension increases to come into effect for retired An Post workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53264/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 368 and 371 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.