RTÉ have confirmed that it will outsource all of its young people's programming to the independent sector.
The move will see all TV programmes currently produced by RTÉ for young children and teenagers outsourced to the independent production sector including shows on RTÉ Junior.
A statement from RTÉ released yesterday said: "RTÉ’s offering for young people has traditionally been made up of a range of in-house programmes, independently produced programmes and animations. RTÉ remains fully committed to delivering original Irish content for young people, and this decision means that RTÉ is now fully investing its young peoples programme budget in the independent sector, allowing independent production companies and animation companies to pitch new ideas and programmes for delivery to our youngest viewers."
It also said that "RTÉjr will of course remain as Ireland's only cross platform service for children."
The decision was made in a bid to reduce costs however it will not affect the amount of young people's content that will be produced. The move is expected to cut operating costs internally within the organisation.
The statement also said: "Recognising the challenging financial environment, and so as to achieve stronger efficiencies and value for money, RTÉ is to make changes to how it produces young people’s programmes.
"After an examination of all output, a decision has been made to commission all young people’s programmes from the independent sector, enabling RTÉ to meet its statutory committed spend in the sector and reducing operating costs internally.
"RTÉ is not reducing its commitment to younger peoples programmes, nor it's spend."
In response to the announcement a Screen Producers Ireland spokesperson, told IFTN "We are pleased to hear RTÉ acknowledge the cost efficiencies that can be made through outsourcing programming to the independent sector rather than making it in house. We hope that this is the first step in RTÉ moving to a publisher-broadcaster model for all genres."