I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 198, 200, 201, 203, 205 and 206 together.
Under the rules of the An Post Main Superannuation Scheme pension increases are subject to the authorisation of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications given with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
On 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications requesting Ministerial approval for three increases to pensions under the Scheme. The Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications wrote to this Department on 29 August requesting my consent for the increases.
The increases concerned are:
I. 5.0% increase effective from 1 January 2022
II. 2.0% increase effective from 1 January 2023
III. 1.0% increase effective from 1 July 2023
I gave my consent for the increases on 8th September 2023 and this has been communicated to the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
The payment of the increases is now a matter for the trustees and administrators of the An Post Superannuation Scheme.