We condemn the continued delay in implementing the agreed pension increase for An Post and Eir pensioners, despite a deal brokered between unions, including the Communications Workers' Union, An Post, Eir and Government officials. The agreement provides for payments to more than 7,000 affected An Post pensioners who remain without the payments they were promised. This delay contradicts the Government's stated commitment to protecting vulnerable pensioners and addressing the cost-of-living pressures currently being faced by them. The Communication Workers' Union secured what is widely recognised as a reasonable and overdue restoration of pension value but the pace of Government endorsement has undermined the very purpose of the agreement. The lack of timely ministerial correspondence and action has left An Post and Eir pensioners stuck waiting for money that is rightfully theirs, undermining trust in both State institutions and the administration of pension schemes. Pensioners must not bear the brunt of political delays or bureaucratic inertia. I call for guaranteed, timely relief for pensioners and for the restoration of parity between pensioner's pay and active pay wherever possible. The current impasse risks compounding financial hardship for pensioners who already face rising costs of living, including higher heating bills, and constrained budgets. The Minister of State corresponded with the pensioners on Monday last. He signed off on the agreement but the Minister for Social Protection needs to do so as well. While that correspondence was a welcome step forward, there was no mention of the Eir pensioners or of when the increase is going to be paid. In what month this year does the Minister of State expect An Post and Eir pensioners to get their agreed pension entitlements? They have worked hard all of their lives and are now being poorly treated by the State regarding their entitlements.

Sentiment score: 0.12

The Minister of State said: The An Post pension increase request is currently under consideration by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. This is the final step in the approvals process. The Eir pension increase request is under consideration by officials in my Department. It is important to note that the pension increases cannot be considered agreed or implemented until such time as ministerial approval from both Departments has been obtained. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place ... Those involved want to know, and we call on the Government to immediately confirm, the timing and method of payment to all eligible An Post and Eir pensioners without further delay. It is time these workers' rights were acted on. It has gone on long enough. We need to know when these people will get paid.

Sentiment score: 0.25

Does the Minister of State have any idea when it will be progressed?

Sentiment score: 0.00