Up to 300 job losses as RTÉ record €20m deficit

RTÉ has announced that between 250 and 300 people will have to leave the organisation after they recorded a €20 million deficit in 2016.

RTÉ’s Director General Dee Forbes says that RTÉ’s “financial situation is precarious and the organisation has to make sure that it is relevant and part of Irish culture and Irish life.”

Forbes announced details of the redundancy and early retirement package at a meeting in RTÉ yesterday.

It was outlined that those with more than ten years of service to the station will be entitled to six weeks pay per year of service capped at 104 weeks and statutory redundancy. Those with under ten years of service will be offered two weeks pay per year of service as well as statutory redundancy.

Those who leave will not be able to work with RTÉ again on a contract or freelance basis.

Forbes told RTÉ News that job cuts and increasing the TV license fee will not “solve all of RTÉ’s financial problems.”

RTÉ cite Brexit as one of the largest issues facing the company.