RTÉ to cut 400 jobs and move flagship shows’ production offsite

Limiting presenter salaries, as well as the Voluntary Exit Programme, will reduce its people costs.

By the end of this year, RTÉ will secure permission for the departure of 40 people through the programme.

There will be supports such as training for people in their careers beyond RTÉ, the broadcaster said.

The move will result in fewer people working on-site in Donnybrook due to head count reductions and further increases in hybrid working.

The broadcaster intends to move both The Late Late Show and Fair City away from the Donnybrook campus over the next five years.

It is not yet known where the two popular shows will relocate to, but the new site will need to facilitate the Fair City set — which has been at Montrose for the past 30 years.

More of RTÉ’s programmes will be produced by members of the independent production centre, a move which had 63% support in the public consultation.

RTÉ plans to invest more than €340m with the independent production sector over the course of the five years.

During public consultation, 72% of people agreed that RTÉ should make fewer programmes in Dublin.

It said that changes at the Dublin site will include the disposal of some of the site, with consolidation helping to reduce overheads, meet climate targets, and introduce more efficient ways of working.

Staff will be supported during all phases of the re-development of the Donnybrook site.

A new multi-functional studio and production facility in Cork will include a mix of in-house and commissioned programmes.

The production centre will increase the number of regionally produced hours across TV, on-demand, video, and audio.

It will have a dedicated regional commissioning editor who will increase investment in, and support the growth of, the companies based outside of Dublin.

Commissioned spending is to rise from €47m this year, to €70m per year from 2026 which marks an increase of over 60%.

Digital services

One of the goals laid out in the report will see investment in streaming services with the hope of making the RTÉ Player a destination for content that can compete with global services but also stands apart from them.

It will showcase excellence within the Irish film and television drama sector expanding the catalogue of new Irish releases, as well as film festival hits and classics.

By 2026, there will be a 100% increase in the hours of children’s content available and the player will introduce new features such as Live Restart.

Half of all non-live RTÉ TV content will be available on the player first pre-broadcast by 2027.

Plans to launch a new RTÉ News and an RTÉ Audio app next year are estimated to cost €40m over the five-year period.

The RTÉ Audio App follows the closure of four digital radio services – RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse, and RTÉjr radio – this year.

We are determined to build an RTÉ that ‘Ireland will be proud of’

Speaking about the launch of the five-year plan, director general Kevin Bakhurst said: “The launch of the strategy comes after a period of turmoil for the organisation; a time when we were kept going by the commitment of our staff and partners and the continued support of our audiences.

“Against this backdrop, we must recommit to our core public service mission and beliefs.”

Mr Bakhurst said the strategy will ensure it delivers value for money and are transparent and accountable.

“We are determined to build a strong, modern RTÉ that will play its role in Irish life, that Ireland will be proud of and that will deliver a better outcome for the public we serve,” he said.

Funding reform is critical to protecting public service media in Ireland, he added.

“We will reciprocate that faith placed in us by delivering a public service broadcaster fit for the future and for our audiences.”

RTÉ board chair Terence O’Rourke said its vision is clear and the financial underpinning is “realistic and sustainable”.

The events of last year highlighted the need for cultural reform within the organisation and as a result, improved governance standards – at Board level and across the organisation – are being implemented as a matter of priority, said Mr O’Rourke.

“It is critical that we work collectively to restore the public trust,” he said.

“We will continue with our responsibility to steward this work of creating an RTÉ that’s fit for the future while protecting what we all value.”