RTE has just revealed their plans to cut approximately 250 members of staff.
General director Dee Forbes announced that a voluntary exit programme will open next week, plus an early retirement scheme.
The company hope that all upcoming changes in the station will be in the benefit of RTE’s future.
“We have been working on the development of RTÉ’s new five-year strategy, a new organisational structure, and preparing for the launch of voluntary exit and early retirement schemes to reduce staff numbers,” said Dee in a statement released this afternoon.
“The changes announced today are important and necessary to ensure we can serve our audiences, continue to create content they value – when, where and how they want it – and remain relevant at the centre of cultural life in Ireland.
“Sitting still is not an option in what is a radically changing market, so today marks the start of a period of significant change and transformation at RTÉ and we will be a better organisation for it.”
She added, “I grew up with RTÉ and I want RTÉ to still be around when future generations grow up.
“More than ever Ireland needs, at its core, an RTÉ that enhances the creative capital of our country; supports and nurtures Irish talent; and allows the audience to see and to hear our own stories being told.
“That is our core role and responsibility. I believe the changes we’ve outlined today set RTÉ on a new path, to ensure that it can continue to play a central and relevant role at the heart of national life.
“There’s no disguising that alongside what I believe is an exciting future, there will also be some painful choices. Our financial situation requires us to reduce costs and employee numbers.
“We need to become a smaller, more efficient organisation. That will mean that we will lose some colleagues. It will also affect the scope of what we are able to do.
“Critically, we must ensure that we are investing in the programmes, reporting and content valued by our audiences.”
