TV3 staff offered temporary leave

STAFF at independent television station TV3 have the option of quitting work for six months and then returning to their jobs under a new “leaver” scheme introduced this week.

A spokeswoman for TV3 said the scheme was open to all 250 staff employed by the station at locations in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly.

The spokeswoman said the temporary leave scheme was something “staff had asked for” and had not been prompted by any problems at the station.

“We are a growing business, we are performing unbelievably against a market that is not performing and we are looking forward to launching our autumn schedule next Thursday,” the spokeswoman said.

In addition to the option of temporary leave, staff can apply for voluntary redundancy. Those who are accepted will receive a package of five weeks’ pay per year of service — substantially better than the statutory entitlement of two weeks’ pay per year of service.

Those interested in applying for either temporary or permanent leave must do so by Friday, August 26. The spokeswoman said a limit had not been put on the number of applications, but that not everybody who applied would be accepted.

She said the scheme could be described as a “money-saving exercise” and that it was “good for business”.

“Obviously we are cautious, we can see what is happening in the market.”

The 2009 annual report for the station showed an 80% drop in operating profit to just over €2 million and a drop of 16% in broadcaster advertising revenue, from€62m in 2008 to €52m in 2009. The 2010 annual report is imminent.

Separately, City Channel, an Irish television network that operates three stations — City Channel Dublin, City Channel Galway and Channel South — has confirmed it is in talks to secure investment in the company amid a major “structural review”, but has denied reports that it is to suspend operations or cease broadcasting.

Chief executive David Harvey confirmed staff numbers had reduced from 30 to “around 10”, but said the company’s fortunes had been affected by “the general meltdown in the television sector”.

Mr Harvey, a presenter on Dublin station 4FM, said both he and Liberty Ventures — a subsidiary of Liberty Global which purchased a 35% stake in the company in 2007 — had invested heavily in the future of the company.

“We are still on air and will continue to be,” Mr Harvey said. “We have been in discussion with a number of parties with a view to their considering an investment.”

City Channel, which began broadcasting in 2005, is licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.