A decision on additional financial support for RTÉ will be made in the "next few weeks", Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Varadkar said a long-term view also needs to be taken on how to fund public service broadcasting, not just the national broadcaster.
A decision on long-term funding can then be made in the "next few months", the Taoiseach said, with legislation in place by 2025.
Voluntary redundancies are only worth funding if it results in long-term savings, he added.
"We have seen that across other public bodies where the number of staff has been reduced. But that only works if the total number of employees goes down.
"What you can't have is a voluntary redundancy package and then have those positions backfilled because there's no saving."
There will be further discussions between the Government and RTÉ on their plan for cost savings.
"I've seen many times, Government, state agencies or state-owned enterprises, putting up proposals, the classic Asgard list … putting up proposals that are designed to be unpopular.
"There will have to be some discussions and what we've asked is that the RTÉ board and executive team put together a plan and we'll look at that plan, and we'll see if we can work on it."
RTÉ is going through a "very turbulent time", Mr Varadkar said, and it needs to be protected.
"I believe we need RTÉ. I believe we need a strong RTÉ, particularly when it comes to news and public service broadcasting … we're a small country. Democracies are under threat all over the world."
Speaking on the same programme, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she would "err" towards exchequer funding for the national broadcaster.
Profound governance and cultural issues need to be addressed by the station, she said.
She added: "The soundings from the new DG, and the Board is that that they are prepared ... for that change.
"But I think we need to see real evidence of it.
"I would probably err on the side of Exchequer funding.
"I am saying that as a personal preference … we also need to talk to the other broadcasting organisations in the State but whatever we do we need to be sure that what we have is sustainable."
Ms McDonald also said any discussion about funding of public service broadcasting needs to be "independent of any political interference or bias."
Speaking on the same programme, Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said his preference for a funding model for RTÉ remains a media household charge.
But he said an external payment or the adaptation of the current licence fee could also be considered.
RTÉ must be protected, he said, and a decision on how best to support the broadcaster must be made quickly.
"The final mechanism will be decided by Government in the coming months, in my mind quickly, because what we don't want are these ongoing committees.
"They are distracting from the core job which is providing fair and accurate information and entertainment for our people.
"We can't let RTÉ go down. It's been in constant controversy, investigations, committee hearings and so on.
"We need to get back to focused on the core job, which is serving Irish people."
