RTÉ has reported a deficit of €9.1 million for last year, which its chairman Terence O’Rourke described as a “difficult and damaging” period for the national broadcaster.
Its annual report for 2023 also lists RTÉ's highest earners for the year, which features a mix of well-known broadcasters and senior executives.
The report, which has been sent to Government but not yet published, comes after a year of controversy at Montrose, beginning with revelations about RTé’s under-declaration of payments to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy.
Issues also emerged around spending on corporate hospitality and exit payments for some management figures. There was a subsequent fall in licence fee revenue and the company has pledged to implement a series of reforms.
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The Government last month announced a funding package of €725 million for RTÉ over the next three years funded by a mix of licence fee revenue and exchequer contributions.
In his annual report statement, Mr O’Rourke said RTÉ's achievements were “overshadowed by the revelations” and “it was an all-time low for the organisation”.
The report notes that licence fee income received by RTÉ last year was down €17.3 million in comparison to 2022. It says that while the decline in sales was “somewhat offset” by the additional €15 million in interim funding provided by the Government, this money was already allocated in the broadcaster’s plans.
A hiring freeze announced by RTÉ and a delay to “strategic projects” were among efforts to offset some of the licence fee decline, but the report says “it was not enough and RTÉ are reporting a deficit of €9.1 million for 2023”. A deficit of €2.8 million was reported in 2022.
The report shows Liveline host Joe Duffy, on €351,000, was the highest paid person at RTÉ last year. Deputy director general Adrian Lynch was next on €286,926 followed by director of operations and technology Richard Waghorn on €281,750.
RTÉ radio presenter Claire Byrne was paid €280,000 while director of human resources Eimear Cusack was paid €274,815 and managing director of RTÉ News and current affairs Deirdre McCarthy was paid €273,490. Prime Time host Miriam O’Callaghan was on €263,500, while former director of legal Paula Mullooly was paid €260,160 and Ray D’Arcy was paid €250,000.
Tubridy was paid €245,278 for the part of 2023 where he was still working for RTÉ. He was previously RTÉ's highest earner on €515,000 in 2022. Radio presenter Brendan O’Connor was paid €245,004 in 2023, Mary Wilson was on €199,194 and Bryan Dobson, who has now retired from RTÉ, was paid €194,319. Darragh Moloney was on €186,650 and George Lee was paid €185,674.
RTÉ director general Mr Bakhurst’s remuneration package came to €161,767 in 2023, having first taken up the role in July. His basic salary for a full year is €250,000. No one at RTÉ will be paid more than this in future years as part of the strategy for the future of RTÉ. The strategy says pay cuts for those paid more than this will be delivered “as contracts expire and as we hire new people ... and by reviewing and reducing allowances”.
In the report, Duffy, Byrne, O’Callaghan, D’Arcy, Mr Tubridy and O’Connor are listed as contractors. Their earnings represent fees payable for services provided last year, excluding VAT. Contractors do not earn salaries and RTÉ does not make any pension contribution on their behalf.
Wilson, Dobson, Maloney and Lee are listed as employees. Their earnings include salaries, employer pension contribution and related benefits. The remuneration packages set out for RTÉ executives includes their salary, pension and allowances.
RTÉ said it is not in a position to comment on the report until it is published after being laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
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