RTE in Crisis

RTÉ bailout could be as high as €35m due to TV licence rebellion

The government had thought emergency cash for broadcaster would come to between €15 million and €20 million but now fears it could be much higher

Kevin Bakhurst, director general of RTÉ, said the recent drop in licence fee revenue meant that a decision on the beleaguered broadcaster’s funding was ‘urgent. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

A significant drop-off in licence fee revenues has stoked fears within government that an RTÉ bailout of up to €35 million could be needed in October’s budget, a far larger amount than had been planned for just weeks ago.

The government has accepted that the broadcaster needs an emergency bailout of between €15 million and €20 million but fears this figure could rise in the coming weeks due to the TV licence rebellion.

A senior ...