RTÉ insists it still ‘expects’ to shed 100 employees from its workforce this year despite insiders reporting the cashstrapped State broadcaster has ‘struggled to date to get the numbers’ for its Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP).
The first batch of employees are scheduled to leave the organisation under the scheme next Friday, October 31. But five days out, RTÉ is still refusing to say how many will actually go under this round of the scheme.
The broadcaster received 325 ‘expressions of interest’ for the much-touted VEP scheme when it was finally launched earlier this year. But translating that number into people actually willing to give up their jobs has been ‘tricky’, according to one insider.
RTÉ insists it still ‘expects’ to shed 100 employees from its workforce this year despite insiders reporting the cashstrapped State broadcaster has ‘struggled to date to get the numbers’ for its Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP). Pic: Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images
The RTÉ source told Extra.ie: ‘The question people needed to ask themselves was, “Will I be better off financially by taking this package?” And I think for a lot of people, particularly those say in their late 40s or early to mid-50s, the answer was no.’
Another station source added: ‘They [RTÉ management] have really struggled to date to get the numbers and they’re not there yet.
‘It’s partly that the deal isn’t that generous but also that when people look at it and the taxation etc that’s involved, they’ve thought: “This is very risky.”
The first batch of employees are scheduled to leave the organisation under the scheme next Friday, October 31. But five days out, RTÉ is still refusing to say how many will actually go under this round of the scheme. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
‘Some are worried about the job market, which has worsened, and others are worried about a possible bar on them working for independents making stuff for RTÉ in the future.’
However, an RTÉ spokesman this weekend clarified that those leaving the broadcaster ‘are free to pursue other career opportunities, including working for independent production companies in Ireland, or elsewhere’.
Another source said there are also ‘lots of people who would take the deal quickly but haven’t been offered it. The way it’s being interpreted is so narrow because of the s*** that happened before [when some departing employees received large payouts and their positions were never made redundant as required by law] means they are supervised by accountants and lawyers and the Department of the Arts and Media.’
The source also claimed there is a ‘lot of frustration’ that some departments will bear the brunt of the cuts.
‘Some departments are being denuded of people while news and current affairs appears to be getting away scot-free,’ they added.
‘In fact, some people were making their decisions this week on redundancy while news and current affairs were interviewing people for new jobs. That jarred with lots of people.’
Under the package, RTÉ staff with a minimum of at least two years’ service are being offered up to six weeks of pay per year of service as part of the scheme package designed to slash costs. Payments will be capped at €300,000.
RTÉ’s annual report for 2023 shows the national broadcaster employed 1,836 people, of which 204 were part-time or classed as casual workers.
In response to queries, an RTÉ spokesman said: ‘The VEP process is ongoing as a number of applications are still being reviewed as part of a complex and rigorous review of applications. The first group of those whose applications were accepted will leave RTÉ next week, on Friday 31st of October, with others to leave on 30th November and 31st December. Those leaving RTÉ under the 2025 VEP are not being made redundant but are leaving RTÉ voluntarily.
‘RTÉ expects around 100 people to leave the organisation this year.’ The spokesman added RTÉ ‘will not be providing updates on the numbers leaving the organisation as part of the VEP while the process is ongoing.’
All applications for the scheme have gone through a five-stage review process with final decisions on all applications being made by RTÉ’s ‘leadership team’, with final oversight by the Board’s Remuneration and Management Committee.
RTÉ said applications will be approved only where a robust business case is made, and the role can be suppressed or equivalent savings can be made by suppressing an alternative post and/or redeploying an employee into that role. Communications on final decisions began on September 1. A steering group, which includes representatives of McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors, is overseeing the scheme.