RTÉ rejects minister’s claim reforms have been slow as €20m funding cut confirmed

Kevin Bakhurst said RTÉ had made commitments based on its multi-annual agreement and warned the funding reduction would affect its strategy

RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst rejects reform criticism as Government cuts planned funding by €20m. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst has rejected claims that the pace of reform and transformation at the national broadcaster has been too slow, after media minister Patrick O’Donovan raised concerns about the progress being made.

“We completely reject the assertion that the pace of reform and transformation within RTÉ has been slow,” Mr Bakhurst said in an update to staff.

His comments came after the Government confirmed that RTÉ will receive €240m in 2027, €20m less than the €260m the broadcaster had been anticipating under its multi-annual funding agreement.

Mr O’Donovan said the €11m increase in funding for RTÉ accounted for a large part of his department’s additional funding for 2027.

He said providing RTÉ with its full €260m allocation would represent almost 70% of the department’s overall budget increase.

RTÉ is currently operating under a €725m three-year multi-annual funding agreement with the Government, agreed in 2024.

Sources had raised concerns about the pace of reforms at the broadcaster, but RTÉ has rejected the criticism.

Mr Bakhurst said the reduction in funding would mean RTÉ “has important decisions to make”, given commitments already made to audiences, the independent production sector, other stakeholders and staff.

“The Government's decision to reduce this public funding agreement by €20m at this late stage, when we have already made important commitments to our audiences, to the independent sector, to other important stakeholders and to RTÉ staff, is one we had not anticipated and will inevitably impact on our ability to deliver our five-year strategy.” 

RTÉ will be left €20 million short of its planned Budget allocation, media minister Patrick O'Donovan has confirmed. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

RTÉ seeks meeting with minister 

Mr Bakhurst said RTÉ chair Terence O’Rourke was seeking a meeting with Mr O’Donovan regarding the multi-annual commitment made in 2024.

He said the broadcaster had entered into a number of agreements with stakeholders based on the written and publicly announced funding agreement.

“In fact, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste said at the time, that predictable multi-annual funding is key to RTÉ being able to deliver a strategy.” 

He said the certainty provided by the multi-annual agreement had allowed RTÉ to plan ahead, deliver news and analysis, produce public service programmes and content including original Irish drama and live sport, and invest in podcasts, apps and the RTÉ Player.

Mr Bakhurst also said the agreement had allowed RTÉ to implement a digital commercial strategy, stabilise its finances and progress its plans.