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A Fine Gael TD has accused RTÉ of “going backwards” on key reform targets despite the national broadcaster securing a €725 million state funding package.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Dublin Bay South TD James Geoghegan said it was difficult to understand how the broadcaster could declare success when personnel costs were “moving in the wrong direction.”
Figures from RTÉ’s latest Annual Report show that personnel-related operating costs rose from 49% of total operating costs in 2024 to 50% in 2025, despite a strategic commitment to lower the figure to 45% by 2029.
Geoghegan, who is a member of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, pointed to recent statements made by RTÉ leadership regarding their financial priorities.
“Just two weeks ago at the Public Accounts Committee, RTÉ executives told us that reducing personnel costs as a percentage of operating costs was more important than focusing solely on their commitment to reduce the workforce by up to 400,” Geoghegan said.
“We now know that on their preferred measure, they are going backwards too.”
The Fine Gael deputy also highlighted changes in how the state broadcaster reports its performance metrics.
“What makes this even more difficult to understand is that RTÉ has changed the wording of its annual performance measure,” he said.
“In 2024, it simply measured ‘PROCs as % of Total Operating Costs’ and declared the commitment achieved.
“In 2025, that has changed to personnel costs being ‘at 50% or less of total operating costs’. RTÉ again declares the commitment achieved, despite the figure rising from 49% to 50% and its strategic target being 45%.
“RTÉ needs to explain how it can declare success when the figure is moving in the wrong direction.”
Concerns were also raised regarding the overall headcount within the organisation.
“RTÉ committed to reducing its workforce by up to 400, yet its own Annual Report shows average total employee numbers actually increased by 32 in 2025, from 1,962 to 1,994,” Geoghegan noted.
“More than 300 people applied for RTÉ’s Voluntary Exit Programme, but only 67 ultimately exited through it, at a cost of €8.5 million.”
Geoghegan emphasised that public funding must be matched by genuine internal restructuring before further financial support is requested.
“RTÉ was given three years of funding certainty worth €725 million to give it the ability to plan and reform,” he said.
“Financial stability at RTÉ is welcome, but it has to be accompanied by structural reform.
“After the first year of this strategy, personnel costs have increased as a proportion of operating costs, average employee numbers have increased and just 67 people have left through the voluntary scheme.
“Before RTÉ comes back looking for another major funding package, taxpayers and licence fee-holders are entitled to see much clearer evidence that the reforms promised alongside the existing deal are actually being delivered.”
The criticism comes following years of heightened scrutiny surrounding governance and financial management at the national broadcaster.
In 2023, RTÉ was embroiled in a major scandal involving undeclared payments of over €345,000 made to presenters, which sparked public outrage and led to multiple parliamentary committee hearings.
The fallout resulted in the resignation and standing down of senior executives, while an internal audit revealed wider financial irregularities, including thousands of euros spent on corporate entertainment and, infamously, flip-flops.
Director General Kevin Bakhurst subsequently stood down the executive board upon taking office, promising essential structural changes to rebuild public trust in Irish public service broadcasting.
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