Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) officials have condemned a “wholly unnecessary delay” by Minister for Communications, Patrick O’Donovan, in approving agreed pension increases for the retirees.
They are planning a protest over the issue at the Dáil next week.
However, a spokesperson at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport said the time taken for the approval process is necessary “to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place”.
A spokesperson for the union said the board of Eir applied for approval for a pension increase of 2pc in August last year.
He said the board of An Post sought approval for increases worth 7pc a month or two later.
The spokesperson said the delays are now causing real financial hardship for pensioners and their families.
“Delaying the payment of these pension increases is not a neutral administrative act,” said CWU general secretary, Seán McDonagh.
“It is an active decision that shows an outrageous lack of respect and deepens the hardship for older people who must live on fixed incomes.”
He said there is no financial justification for the delay.
Mr McDonagh said the pension schemes are private, well regulated, and in strong financial health and there is no cost to the Exchequer.
“Yet despite the robust governance that is in place for these pension schemes, including independent actuarial oversight and established processes, pensioners are once again being subjected to needless bureaucratic delays with Minister O’Donovan’s office unable, or unwilling, to give any timeline for a decision on when his approval to pay these pension increases may be forthcoming,” he said.
He said the delays are in stark contrast to the way public service pensions and the state pension are increased annually, without delay.
Mr McDonagh said retired Eir and An Post workers do not receive state pension increases.
Meanwhile, the union said in a statement that there has been a “shameful delay” of two and a half years in ministerial approval for pension payments to An Post workers who retired on health grounds.
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport spokesperson said An Post wrote to the department on October 23 last year requesting consent for an increase of 6pc backdated to January 1 and 1pc from June 1 to pensions for members of its scheme.
“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,” he said.
He said the department received a request last year for a pension increase of 2.1pc for Eircom pensioners from July 1, 2025.
The spokesperson said department officials sought the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA).
“The minister will consider NewERA’s report and recommendations on the proposal when received and will make a determination on whether to approve it,” he said.
He said the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation will also be required.