The redundancy package at RTÉ has finally been signed off by Government, paving the way for hundreds of staff to be let go, writes Brian Mahon.

In an email to staff yesterday, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said he was “pleased to confirm” that the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, and the Department of Public Expenditure, had approved RTÉ’s proposed voluntary exit programme (VEP).

He added: “This approval of the VEP represents an important milestone in the implementation of RTÉ’s five-year strategy.”

The letter, seen by BusinessPlue.ie, continued: “We will share full details and the terms of the VEP with you in the coming days once all of the necessary materials have been finalised and the processes are in place.

“I can confirm that the approved VEP relates to 2025 so that those whose applications are accepted within the terms of the scheme will leave the organisation this year.

“I would also like to confirm that members of the RTÉ leadership team are not eligible to apply for the VEP.”

The last government was accused of stalling signing off on “politically sensitive” redundancy packages at RTÉ before the general election was called.

The national broadcaster had been “left in limbo” and “frustrated” by the lack of movement on long-awaited plans to tackle 40 voluntary redundancies by the end of this year, as part of its drive to cut 400 workers over five years.

The government approved an initial €725m bailout of RTÉ last July, with an unspecified amount of further funding to be provided in the subsequent two years.

RTÉ has been discussing redundancies since November 2023, with hopes at one point to bring the terms of the voluntary redundancy package to staff this April after providing a business case for them to then-minister Paschal Donohoe’s Department of Public Expenditure.

It was previously revealed that Mr Bakhurst pushed back on plans to cap exit packages at €150,000, stating that it would be “too low” to encourage high-earners to leave their jobs.

He said: “Most people assume they’re going to get, whatever, two years’ salary.

“If you cap the exit package at €150,000 it means no one’s going to leave if they earn over €75,000, so you’re going to end up with a load of management without people to manage.”