Kevin Bakhurst, Director General for RTÉ, has verified the receipt of €20 million from interim Government funding this Monday. The funds were needed to offset a 14% decline in the licence fee income, Mr Bakhurst communicated to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media.
The use of the received funds will be widespread, covering ongoing business costs, staff training and skills development, and advancements in technology, he further highlighted. Concerning the future financial support for RTÉ, Mr Bakhurst indicated its source didn’t matter as long as it meets the necessary levels, is spread over several years, and doesn’t compromise the organisation’s autonomy.
Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy raised a question on the substantial severance package for a senior member under its current circumstances; in response, Mr Bakhurst noted that changes in the senior leadership team come with expenses. He couldn’t verify the shadowed €400,000 figure and the manager who has taken sick leave. He did confirm that these matters are now under negotiation at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Mr Bakhurst also confirmed the recent employment of two new Director roles within RTÉ; one will serve as the Director of Audio and the other as Director of Video. These roles were previously encompassed by Mr Jennings.
In regard to changes at the broadcaster, Mr Bakhurst affirmed that the production of The Late Late Show and Fair City would move away from Montrose in the coming five years. However, no solid action plan has been established yet. Potential suggestions include using a larger studio for The Late Late Show and increased funding for Fair City from foreign sales.
Mr Bakhurst, in response to Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster’s query regarding the future of present employees, stated that while there is no guarantee that positions wouldn’t be outsourced, he can assure there will not be any enforced layoffs. One significant change he highlighted was the interaction with the workforce. However, during an organisational union members’ meeting on Tuesday, criticism arose regarding the lack of detailed information provided when the new RTÉ’s strategy document was published last Friday.
It was also mooted during the meeting that politicians who exhibited backing for the staff last year should now show their support. Trade Union Group Secretary, Sorcha Vaughan, described the mood of the union members’ meeting in the Late Late Show studio as a mixture of anger and anxiety. There was considerable uncertainty sparked by the vague nature of the proposals.
“There were plenty of issues discussed”, Vaughan said. “But an unequivocal message from the meeting was that people need finer details. They want understanding of the costing basis management claims these proposals rest on. They want to view proposed the timelines involved.”
Vaughan also emphasised that the Late Late Show and Fair City employees, who were well represented in the meeting, are particularly anxious about the potential of their shows being commissioned to the independent industry for production. This, she suggested, highlights the depth of their worries.