Thomas Gould
Ceist:20. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the value-for-money assessment that was undertaken in evaluating a pay increase for the Director General of RTÉ. [31948/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 7 May 2026
Ceisteanna (20)
Freagraí scríofa
In April 2024, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation requested the Senior Posts Remuneration Committee (SPRC) to review the remuneration arrangements for CEOs of Commercial State Bodies. The Committee’s Report was submitted to Minister Chambers on 31 March 2025.
To establish a comprehensive understanding of the position regarding CEO remuneration, the Committee carried out wide-ranging research including consultation with key stakeholders and with international and technical experts, together with data collection and technical analysis supported by NewERA. The Report found that CEO remuneration packages had fallen out of alignment with the market, and that there was a need for a transparent and robust framework for regular review of CEO remuneration, to ensure that it recognises and rewards performance and attracts the best prospective candidates into the future.
The SPRC also found that there was a need for the Boards of Commercial State Bodies to have appropriate flexibility to manage CEO remuneration, in line with the organisation’s business needs, performance and capacity to pay, with an enhanced system of governance in place.
The Report was subsequently considered by Government and published on 29 April 2025.
A banded salary structure for a three-year period, has now been put in place for each relevant body, including RTÉ, which ranges from the current salary of the CEO or DG to the relevant market median advised by SPRC, which must be adhered to.
Operational details and guidance were prepared by Minister Chamber’s Department to give effect to Government’s consideration of this matter. These details, together with the band agreed for the DG of RTÉ, were shared by me with the Chairperson of the RTÉ Board. The Board are responsible in the first instance for issues related to the performance of the DG, including setting targets and reviewing performance.
Last December, the Board of RTÉ presented a business case to me in line with the guidelines and salary range notified by Minister Chambers. Having reviewed the submission and associated assessment of my officials and NewERA, I submitted a recommendation to Minister Chambers in March, for his approval as required. In addition, given the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the consent of Government will also be required to alter the remuneration of the DG of both RTÉ and TG4.
As the matter remains under active consideration at present, it is not possible to provide further details on the proposal or the timing of any final approval.