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Internal RTÉ analysis shows problems with how VEP was run
🇮🇪 Ireland /Economy & Trade

Internal RTÉ analysis shows problems with how VEP was run

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • An internal RTÉ analysis revealed problems with the broadcaster's Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP).
  • The program failed to achieve the necessary staff cuts due to restrictive criteria and a narrow application window.
  • RTÉ plans to launch a new, longer voluntary exit scheme with government approval.

An internal analysis by RTÉ has exposed significant issues with the broadcaster's Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP), revealing it fell short of its goals for staff reductions. The report highlights that despite substantial preparation for early exit packages, only a limited number of staff ultimately received offers.

The narrow window to run the VEP programme and secure exits by 31 December 2025 placed a strain on the process and on individuals in making the decision to accept, or not.

— Internal RTÉ analysisExplaining the difficulties faced during the Voluntary Exit Programme.

The analysis points to several shortcomings in the VEP's execution, including a restrictive application window that pressured staff considering departure. Criteria for the program were described as "restrictive," requiring "100% direct suppression" of a post or "100% equivalent cost savings" for redundancies to be considered. Applications not meeting these strict conditions were excluded.

With just a 60% acceptance rate, this compounds the effort / cost challenge with the 2025 terms.

— Internal RTÉ analysisDescribing the impact of low acceptance rates on the program's efficiency.

Furthermore, the report noted that the VEP's narrow timeframe, with applications open from April to May 2025 and a December 2025 deadline for exits, placed considerable strain on the process and individuals. This limited time did not allow for significant evolution of the operating model behind the exits. Running the numbers for 134 applicants involved substantial effort and cost for RTÉ's HR and finance departments, ultimately resulting in just over 40 offers being made.

If the 2025 experience was to be replicated, we would need to make around 500 offers to achieve 300 exits.

— Internal RTÉ analysisHighlighting the potential need for a larger scale in future redundancy programs.

Despite these challenges, the analysis acknowledged the scheme's strong governance and consistency, which ensured fairness and standardization. However, it warned that the low take-up rate could impact future redundancy programs, estimating that approximately 500 offers would be needed to achieve 300 exits if the 2025 experience were repeated. An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed the company's five-year strategy aims to reduce headcount by up to 400 by 2029, with 97 exits achieved in 2025. RTÉ is seeking government approval for a new, longer voluntary exit program.

We hope to open [it] in the coming months, and for a longer period than the 2025 VEP.

— RTÉ spokesmanDiscussing plans for a future voluntary exit program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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