RTÉ has published its strategic vision, a document that sets out the direction and vision for a transformed operation.
The broadcaster has said the ultimate objective is "a better RTÉ".
There are ten key areas of reform, transformation and change in the plan:
1. A New Vision for Public Service
Sport: A commitment to ensuring the rights for national sporting events are protected and remain available free-to-air for audiences.
Drama and Entertainment: Prioritise support for Irish drama and scripted comedy through a dedicated development fund and increase original Irish drama to 60 hours per year - around a 50% increase - by 2026.
News and Current Affairs: Enhance the RTÉ News app and expand social media presence. Appoint a disinformation correspondent and introduce a fact-checking mark and verification service for stories.
Entertainment and Music: Develop new entertainment and music formats and support the independent sector in devising new and original single-camera formats to drive on-demand viewing on the RTÉ Player.
Irish language: Expand the number of hours of Irish programming across all platforms with the launch of a digital Irish language radio station for listeners aged 15-34 being considered.
Arts and Culture: Commission spend and forge new relationships across the cultural sector, with a focus on national cultural events, as well as grow the audience for RTÉ lyric fm.
Factual Documentaries and Series: Commission and produce high-impact television and audio documentary series that create and facilitate national conversations.
Young People’s Programmes: Provide video and audio content, in both English and Irish, created primarily by the independent production sector, with a safe and ad-free Kids section on the RTÉ Player. Establish a podcast unit and produce more content for children aged 14+, including exploring commissioning a teen drama.
2. A New Approach on Value for Money
Reduce the total workforce size by up to 20% - around 400 positions - by 2028 through a combination of normal attrition and retirements, as well as a voluntary redundancy scheme, with a focus on reducing the number of staff paid over €100,000.
Recruitment to ensure that RTÉ has the additional skills required for a digitally transformed operation.
Reform and technological investments to enable more efficient production models and working practices, including the end of certain activities within RTÉ.
Strictly control costs, such as overtime and backfill, and actively assess engagement of contractors to ensure value for money as well as making changes to the allowances and expenses system.
3. A New Take on Nationwide Production
From 2025, rebalance production from Dublin to an expanded production centre in Cork, with an aim to increase production in Limerick and Galway, but most production and broadcast facilities for radio and television will remain on a smaller campus in Dublin.
4. A New Organisation
Simplify the organisational structure through a role and grades review, targeting a reduction in the layers of management.
Double, by 2028, the budget for staff development and training, including in software development and engineering, and complete the move to upgrade to HD (high definition).
Provide flexible working options including hybrid working and part-time work.
Improve internal communication, extend the internship programme and implement a climate action roadmap.
5.A New Strategy for Sectoral Support
Increase spending on independent production to 25% of public funding by 2027, with a plan to raise the total value of commissioning by up to 50% in 2028.
Increase the commissioning of content for digital and radio services.
6. New Digital Products
Transform RTÉ Player to become one of the main ways people watch live programming, along with an extensive on-demand catalogue.
New radio and news apps to be launched in 2025.
7. New Digital Experiences
The addition of individual sign-in to video and audio products with investment in digital services, ending the RTÉ One +1 and RTÉ 2+1 channels by 2028.
Enhance access to RTÉ Archives collections.
8. New Protections for Free-to-Air Access
Continue to operate Saorview and provide RTÉ One and RTÉ2 on Freeview in Northern Ireland as well as expanding choice on Saorview.
Ensure RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta continue to be available via FM radio, alongside RTÉ Gold on digital TV platforms, online and via the new audio app.
Protect the quality of access services including subtitles, audio description and Irish Sign Language.
9. A New Approach on Financial Management
Operate under a reformed public funding model and progressively reduce costs and overheads, including a reduced workforce, pay caps and reducing salaries.
Explore options for vacated areas of land on the Dublin campus, including sale, as it does not appear to be commercially viable to vacate the site.
Increase the contribution to the production of public service content.
10. A New Framework for Better Governance
Strengthen governance in how board and leadership team operate and introduce a register of interests and register of external activities as well as reports of published expenses, the salaries of the leadership team and Top 100 salaries.
New corporate governance framework to be introduced by December 2023.
