The Communications Workers' Union (CWU) is to stage a protest outside Leinster House next Tuesday over delays in the payment of pension increases for 20,000 retired workers at An Post and eir.
The union has criticised what it described as an unnecessary delay by the Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan in approving the agreed increases.
The CWU said the increases have already been agreed by unions, trustees, actuaries and company boards.
The union added that the delayed approval by the Government shows "an outrageous lack of respect and deepens the hardship of older people who must live on fixed incomes."
As the pensioners do not receive annual State pension increases, the CWU said they rely on these agreed adjustments to meet basic living costs.
"There is no financial justification whatsoever for this delay," said CWU General Secretary Seán McDonagh.
"The pension schemes are private, well regulated, and in strong financial health and there is no cost to the Exchequer," Mr McDonagh said.
In October 2025, An Post wrote to the Department of Communications requesting consent for an increase to pensions by 6% with effect from 1 January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025.
"Whilst 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, the Department is actively working to conclude the required approval process," a spokesperson for the Department of Communications said.
Last year the Department of Communications received a request for a pension increase of 2.1% for eir (formerly Telecom Éireann) pensioners with effect from 1 July 2025.
"Department officials sought the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on this pension increase proposal, which NewERA is currently reviewing," the spokesperson said.
"It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place," the Department added.
