Budget 2027 allocates RTÉ €20 million less than expected

Ireland’s Budget 2027 allocates RTÉ €240 million in public funding, €20 million less than the €260 million set out for that year in a 2024 three-year funding agreement. The reduction leaves the agreement’s status uncertain and, RTÉ said, will affect its ability to deliver its five-year strategy. The 2024 agreement provided for €725 million in public funding across 2025 to 2027. The lower 2027 allocation was confirmed by Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan in a post-budget briefing on October 7. He said the amount reflected the funding available to his department and RTÉ’s progress in implementing its strategy. O’Donovan said progress had been made on several issues but that he was not satisfied with the pace of work toward a smaller, more agile organisation. He also said public service organisations had been expected to demonstrate efficiencies. The reports do not establish whether the government will continue to honour the multiannual agreement despite the lower allocation. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst rejected the minister’s assessment of the broadcaster’s reform progress.