RTÉ top earners like Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy and Ray D’Aracy could be facing big pay cuts as Director General Kevin Bakhurst announced a €250,000 pay cap.
In this new reform plan for the embattled broadcaster, it was declared that “no salary will exceed that of the Director-General. Mr Bakhurst confirmed when he took up the role that his salary would be €250,000 a year.
The pay cap, which is part of the strategic vision plan, called “A New Direction”, came as the Government confirmed interim funding worth €56m to the broadcaster over the next two years. The €40m next year will be dependent on reforms implemented at the embattled broadcaster.
Read more: Government grants RTE major €56m bail out amid financial issues
Read more: Late Late Show figures continue to plunge as Patrick Kielty's first Toy Show looms
The list of top 10 earners for 2021 showed that Ryan Tubridy (€440,000), Joe Duffy, (€351,000) Claire Byrne (€350,000), Ray D'Arcy (€305,000) and Miriam O'Callaghan, (€263,500) all earned more than €250,000. Mr Bakhurst also confirmed reports that there will be 400 fewer jobs at the broadcaster, with redundancies aiming to reduce the number of staff earning more than €100,000.
“We will be a more streamlined, modern and simplified organisation, with fewer employees (with a net headcount reduction of up to 20% or 400 people), reduced overheads and updated technology,” the plan reads. RTÉ stated that it will “commission significantly more content from independent production companies across Ireland and increase support to the creative economy, aiming to increase our overall investment by 50 per cent".
Operation centres will be expanding in Cork, while services in Dublin will be reduced. There will be investment in the RTÉ Player, a new audio app and an expanded RTÉ News app.
Television channels RTÉ One +1 and RTÉ2 +1 will be closed down, as will RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉjr Radio. “As the recipient of public funds, we have to be a careful custodian of those monies,” the plan states.
“We will ensure that the Irish public and our audiences get better value from the support they provide to us as their national public service media organisation. A simplified RTÉ will have fewer staff, reduced overhead and support costs, redirecting focus into the content and products our audiences want.
“A streamlined RTÉ includes operating on a smaller footprint within the Donnybrook site and with more modern facilities that require less maintenance. In order to increase funds available for production and services, we will reduce the total size of our workforce by up to 20% by 2028.
“This means a net reduction of approximately 400 posts. This will be achieved through a combination of normal attrition and retirements and a voluntary exit scheme open to all, and which will aim to particularly reduce the number of staff paid over €100,000.”
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
