RTÉ director general rejects claim reforms are slow after €20m funding cut

RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst has rejected media minister Patrick O’Donovan’s suggestion that the broadcaster’s reform and transformation programme is progressing too slowly.

Bakhurst made the comment in an update to staff after the Government confirmed that RTÉ’s funding for 2027 will be €240 million, €20 million less than the €260 million the broadcaster had expected under its 2024 multi‑annual funding agreement.

Minister O’Donovan noted that the €11 million increase in RTÉ’s funding accounts for a large portion of his department’s overall budget rise for 2027, and that providing the full €260 million would represent almost 70 % of that increase.

RTÉ is currently operating under a €725 million three‑year multi‑annual agreement signed in 2024. Bakhurst said the reduction will force the broadcaster to make “important decisions” given existing commitments to audiences, the independent production sector, other stakeholders and staff.

The director general added that RTÉ chair Terence O’Rourke is seeking a meeting with the minister to discuss the 2024 commitment, emphasizing that predictable multi‑annual funding was highlighted by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste as essential for delivering RTÉ’s five‑year strategy.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels.