Top Earners at RTÉ: Management Outpaces Presenters
In a surprising twist, the highest-paid individuals at RTÉ are not the well-known presenters that viewers often associate with the national broadcaster. Instead, the senior management team has taken the lead in terms of earnings, according to recent revelations.
Kevin Bakhurst, the General Director, Adrian Lynch, Deputy Director-General, Richard Waghorn, Chief Technology Officer, Deirdre McCarthy, Director of News and Current Affairs, and Eimear Cusack, Director of Human Resources, all feature on the list of top earners. Their salaries surpass those of many familiar faces on air.
Joe Duffy stands out as the only presenter who earns more than the management team. Through his company, Claddaghgreen Limited, he received €351,000, making him the highest earner at RTÉ. This figure highlights the significant income generated by some of the station’s most recognizable voices.
Following closely behind Duffy is Kevin Bakhurst, who receives a salary of €339,954. The other directors earn between €290,000 and €280,000, with Eimear Cusack being the exception at €274,694. These figures underscore the substantial compensation given to the leadership of the organization.
Claire Byrne, the first presenter on the list, secures the sixth position. She earned €280,000 through her company, Derrough Media Limited, in 2024. However, she is set to leave RTÉ to return to Newstalk in the New Year, marking a potential shift in the station’s lineup.
Patrick Kielty, host of The Late Late Show, also makes an appearance on the list. He was paid €255,657 through his company, Pamanco Ireland Limited. It’s worth noting that he does not receive an additional €50,000 in travel expenses, which means he will cover his own travel from Donnybrook to his London home.
Miriam O’Callaghan comes in ninth with a salary of €246,708, received through Baby Blue Productions Limited. Brendan O’Connor follows in tenth place with €244,099 for BOC Communications Limited.
Kevin Bakhurst has implemented a policy that no one at RTÉ will be paid more than him. This decision aims to address past payment scandals and promote a more equitable distribution of salaries within the organization.
As the year progresses, it’s clear that the list of top earners at RTÉ will look very different from previous years. Some familiar faces may not appear on this year’s list, signaling potential changes in the station’s structure and priorities.
This shift in earnings highlights the evolving dynamics of RTÉ and raises questions about the future of its programming and personnel. Whether these changes will lead to greater transparency or further controversy remains to be seen.