2 weeks Ago
The Department of Public Expenditure says it is not at fault for the hold-up in approving a redundancy programme at RTÉ, which director general Kevin Bakhurst has described as “frustrating”. The station is aiming to launch a limited voluntary redundancy programme before the end of the year, shedding 40 staff, but is still awaiting approval from the Government. It has been suggested Paschal Donohoe’s department is the reason for the delay, as it did not give a sign-off on the plan before the Dáil was dissolved last Friday.
However, in a statement to the Irish Independent , the department said it is still waiting for a full business case to be submitted, including the financial details. “[We] have been engaging fully with the Department of Media on this issue,” it said. “The requirements, including necessary detail and financial analysis, for a full business case for a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme were communicated to the department some weeks ago.
“We understand that it is liaising with RTÉ and will submit a full business case in the near future. The Department of Public Expenditure will consider the full business case as soon as it is submitted.” Mr Bakhurst told a ‘town hall’ meeting of RTÉ staff this week that he was still getting requests from the Government for more information rather than the approval he’d expected.
In a statement, RTÉ confirmed that the director general had expressed “frustration” at the delay. “RTÉ remains committed to launching a limited VEP in 2024, targeting up to 40 roles before moving to the wider VEP referred to in our five-year strategy,” the station said. “RTÉ is currently awaiting the required approvals from the Department.
In response to a series of questions from RTÉ staff about the delay to the VEP, Mr Bakhurst informed a town hall meeting that the non-approval of the terms of the VEP has cost RTÉ, by not being able to allow people leave the organisation as planned this year, and reduce headcount. “He also stated that he doesn't expect approval until after the general election.” With that election to be held on November 29, but government formation talks expected to take weeks, it seems likely the voluntary exit plan may not be approved in 2024.
The proposal was submitted by RTÉ to the Government early last spring. In July, the station was given a bailout of €725m over the next three years, and it was expected that clearance for the initial round of exits would follow quickly. In total, RTÉ is planning to slim down its organisation by 400 by the end of 2028.
.
