Breaking News: RTÉ says more than 300 employees applied for voluntary redundancy in 2025, with 67 accepted under the first round of the scheme at a total exit cost of €8.5 million. The figures, published in the broadcaster’s latest annual report, come as RTÉ reported a post-tax surplus of €22.5 million and prepares to seek approval for a second round of exits later this year.
For readers following Ireland News and the latest developments in public services and media reform, the update offers a clearer picture of how RTÉ is trying to shrink its workforce, manage costs and rebuild trust after the controversies that triggered political and public scrutiny of the national broadcaster.
RTÉ Redundancy Numbers Mark Major Development in Breaking News Ireland
The annual report shows that more than 300 staff sought to leave under RTÉ’s voluntary redundancy programme last year. Of those applications, 67 were approved, while 30 additional roles were suppressed as part of the restructuring process.
RTÉ said the combined effect of those changes amounts to 97 departures from the organisation and is expected to generate annual savings of about €8.4 million. The broadcaster also confirmed it plans to apply for a second voluntary exit scheme in 2026.
This is one of the most significant workforce updates in Latest Irish News around the broadcaster’s reform agenda. RTÉ previously committed to reducing staff numbers by up to 400 between 2025 and 2030 following the payments scandal and wider governance concerns.
Key facts from the annual report
- More than 300 applications were made for voluntary redundancy
- 67 employees were accepted onto the scheme
- Total exit costs reached €8.5 million
- 30 roles were suppressed
- RTÉ expects annual savings of €8.4 million from 97 departures
- A second exit scheme is expected to be sought later this year
Why RTÉ’s Financial Results Matter in Ireland Today
Alongside the staffing figures, RTÉ reported a surplus after tax of €22.5 million for 2025, sharply up from €5.5 million in 2024. According to the broadcaster, that improvement was helped by tight cost control, financial planning and the deferral of some projects into 2026.
RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said the result reflected disciplined management of the organisation’s finances. The annual report also recorded earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of €30.2 million, compared with €18.2 million a year earlier.
Still, some of that improvement was linked to a once-off release of €9.6 million previously earmarked for personnel and operating costs. That means the headline surplus may not fully reflect RTÉ’s long-term financial position.
For audiences tracking Irish News, Business News Ireland and Public Services Ireland, the surplus is politically important because RTÉ remains heavily dependent on public support as it attempts to reform its operations.
How RTÉ was funded
Total public funding reached €224.8 million in 2025, made up of:
- €183.5 million from TV licence fee funding
- €41.3 million in additional Government funding
The report also notes that TV licence sales have fallen by almost 20 per cent since 2022. Although there was a 3 per cent drop in licences sold last year, the impact was largely offset by State support, including funding linked to free TV licences for older people and some social welfare recipients.
Commercial revenue came to €158.6 million, only slightly above the €158.1 million recorded in 2024, with RTÉ saying the Irish advertising market remained difficult.
Background to the Restructuring and Ongoing Liabilities
The voluntary redundancy drive forms part of the broadcaster’s broader restructuring after the RTÉ payments controversy triggered major fallout across Irish Politics, public debate and the media sector. The scandal prompted commitments on pay restraint, governance reform and workforce reduction.
One major unresolved issue remains the so-called bogus self-employment investigation. RTÉ said it had set aside €16.5 million at the end of 2025 to cover costs tied to the ongoing matter. The issue relates to workers who were classified as contractors when they should have been treated as employees, potentially affecting benefits and employment protections.
During the year, RTÉ paid €3.6 million to the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners in relation to that controversy.
The broadcaster also said it continues to engage with the Revenue Commissioners over a separate audit that began in 2024 concerning claims under the Covid wage subsidy scheme. It has made cumulative payments of €1.5 million to date in that process.
Top Pay at RTÉ Also Under Fresh Scrutiny
The annual report provides another snapshot of how RTÉ’s pay structure has changed since the controversy over presenter earnings and undeclared payments.
RTÉ had already committed to a salary cap so that nobody would earn more than the director general. New presenter contracts worth more than €100,000 must also go through an extra approval process.
The latest figures show senior management now dominate RTÉ’s list of highest-paid staff. Nine of the 10 highest earners were executives, while former presenter Claire Byrne was the only on-air personality in that top group. Kevin Bakhurst was the highest-paid individual at RTÉ in 2025, earning €339,538.
This part of the report is likely to remain relevant in Ireland Headlines and Latest News Ireland coverage because questions about value for money, public funding and executive accountability have become central to the future of the broadcaster.
What Happens Next?
RTÉ is expected to seek approval for a second voluntary exit scheme later in 2026 as it continues its plan to reduce headcount over several years. That next phase will be closely watched by staff, unions, Government and audiences.
The key issues to monitor now are:
- Whether a second redundancy round is approved
- How many further staff leave under the restructuring plan
- Whether projected savings are actually delivered
- How RTÉ manages outstanding liabilities, including employment-status and tax-related issues
- Whether public funding arrangements change as TV licence income continues to weaken
For readers looking for News Updates and Top Stories Ireland, the RTÉ story matters beyond the broadcaster itself. It raises wider questions about how publicly funded institutions are governed, how reform is measured and how financial recovery is balanced against staff reductions and service delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people applied for voluntary redundancy at RTÉ?
More than 300 people applied during the first round of the 2025 scheme.
How many were accepted?
RTÉ accepted 67 applications, with 30 other roles suppressed.
How much did the redundancies cost?
The exit cost for the 67 voluntary redundancies was €8.5 million.
Did RTÉ make a profit?
RTÉ reported a surplus after tax of €22.5 million in 2025, up from €5.5 million in 2024.
Will there be more redundancies?
RTÉ has confirmed it intends to apply for a second voluntary exit scheme later this year.
Conclusion
This Breaking News story underlines the scale of change still underway at RTÉ. More than 300 applications for voluntary redundancy, a multi-million euro exit bill and a stronger annual surplus together show a broadcaster trying to stabilise its finances while continuing a difficult restructuring process. As further rounds of reform approach, this will remain one of the key stories in Ireland News and Breaking News Ireland, not just for media workers but for anyone interested in accountability, public funding and the future of national broadcasting.
