RTÉ executives are returning to the Oireachtas this morning, with an appearance before the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Representatives from the broadcaster will be updating the committee on “significant reforms” that have been implemented.
They will also discuss “the steps being taken” in advance of the extension of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s remit at RTÉ.
The financial situation at the broadcaster is expected to be a focus of discussions.
Kevin Bakhurst ‘categorically refuted’ media reports that the broadcaster is seeking additional funding
In his opening statement to the PAC, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst will tell TDs that the broadcaster has reversed the trend of “reporting deficits and strengthened our financial position”.
He will say this is due to “tighter cost controls” and supported by its new commercial strategy, which has “driven digital revenue and is paying dividends”.
Mr Bakhurst will tell committee members this is underpinned by the multi-annual funding commitment made in 2024.
“This certainty,” he will say, has enabled proper planning and contracting.
“We would appeal very strongly that a similar commitment is made in 2027 when this next comes up for review,” he will say.
Mr Bakhurst will say a recent review by Coimisiún na Meán showed a “recognised funding challenge” for public service media in Ireland.
The commitment to the first multi-annual funding agreement was a “critical step in addressing that funding volatility”, Mr Bakhurst will state.
In advance of the PAC appearance, however, Mr Bakhurst “categorically refuted” media reports that the broadcaster is seeking additional public funding.
RTÉ executives told TDs in a briefing document ahead of their appearance that it will need an additional €13.49m more in State funding this year.
The broadcaster projected that €54.79m is needed this year, compared to €41.3m last year.
However, Mr Bakhurst said in a statement yesterday that RTÉ is not looking for any additional public funding “beyond the commitment already provided by the Government”.
He said the projections are clear that the additional funding for 2026 is less than the anticipated €15m committed by the Government.
He said RTÉ will deliver its strategy with the funding commitment already given “which we remain grateful for”.
Kevin Bakhurst said RTÉ has not received any additional funding from the Government so far this year
Mr Bakhurst said the Government had committed, in 2024, to providing public funding to RTÉ of €725m over three years, from 2025 – 2027.
“This is phased as follows over the three years; €225m in 2025, €240m this year and €260m in 2027,” he said, adding that “importantly” includes TV licence revenues.
He said the figures for this year will not be finalised until the end of the year with total TV licence revenue figures for 2026.
This, he said, will then allow the Government to determine the additional public funding needed to reach the €240m commitment for this year.
He stressed that RTÉ has not received any additional funding from the Government so far this year.
At the committee hearing today, Mr Bakhurst will also address current employment arrangements at RTÉ.
He will refer to the “historical” arrangements within RTÉ, describing the legacy of them as “complex”.
Mr Bakhurst will update the committee on how “parallel progress” has been achieved in concluding PRSI classification matters with the Department of Social Protection, with “90% of cases finalised” .
The Comptroller and Auditor General has formally commenced the audit of RTÉ’s financial statements with effect from 1 July 2026, in anticipation of the enactment of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The scale of the growth of the digital offering at RTÉ will be outlined by RTÉ’s director general too, with the RTÉ Player “attracting record numbers” along with the launch of the new RTÉ News App, with 3.1 million downloads to date and approximately 700,000 unique users a week.
Mr Bakhurst will confirm how RTÉ “delivered 45 of the top 50” most-watched television programmes in 2025, is serving over two million radio listeners each week and is jointly along with local radio, the country’s “most trusted news source”.