Executive salaries for senior managers will be included in RTÉ's next annual report for the first time, as the broadcaster has committed to more transparency in the wake of controversies last summer.Responding to a series of questions today, RTÉ explained that all manager salaries were benchmarked against similar roles outside of the organisation and that remuneration details of RTÉ staff in annual reports will include pensions and allowances, where paid.The details from the pending 2023 RTÉ annual report, which is expected to be officially published in September, states that the top ten earners in RTÉ in 2023 included five members of the management team.It is understood that the earnings, which were published in the Irish Independent today, accurately reflect the detail which will be contained in the next annual report.They are:
- Joe Duffy - presenter - €351,000
- Adrian Lynch - Deputy Director General - €286,926
- Richard Waghorn - Director of Operations, Technology & Transformation €281,750
- Claire Byrne - presenter - €280,000
- Eimear Cusack - Director of Human Resources - €274,815
- Deirdre McCarthy - Managing Director of News & Current Affairs - €273,490
- Miriam O’Callaghan - presenter - €263,500
- Paula Mullooly - Former director of legal affairs - €260,160
- Ray D’Arcy – presenter - €250,000
- Ryan Tubridy - Presenter - €245,278
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst’s salary is listed as €161,767 in 2023 as he only commenced his term during the latter half of the year.However, Mr Bakhurst has stated publicly that he earns an annual salary of €250,000 and has a car allowance of €25,000, plus pension.The broadcaster confirmed to RTÉ News that currently "no managers earn more than the director general".Asked if there were any plans to cut manager salaries in line with presenters’ salaries, RTÉ said that the same rule will apply to manager remuneration ensuring that no one will earn more than the director general.In terms of future managerial hires, RTÉ News asked if they will receive lower remuneration packages than previous incumbents. Again RTÉ reiterated that none will earn more than the director general.The broadcaster added that it was important that RTÉ is in a position to attract the best possible talent, while remaining conscious of getting value for money, as well as continuing to deliver as much transparency as possible about remuneration and decisions.Meanwhile, the total amount of compensation paid to key management personnel in 2023 was €4 million (2022: €3.3 million), RTÉ confirmed, comprising of salaries and other short-term employee benefits of €2.9 million (2022: €2.6 million), post-employment pension benefits of €0.4 million (2022: €0.4 million) and termination benefits of €0.7 million (2022: €0.3 million).The report also states that nearly €800,000 worth of "termination benefits" were paid to key management last year.The Department of Arts and Media said that the publication of the report was a matter for RTÉ and not for the department or the minister, adding that it would "not be appropriate" to comment on any specific details prior the publication of the annual report.
© RTÉ 2024.