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Pat Kenny |
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RTÉ has released information on the earnings of its ten most highly paid broadcasters. In 2007 and 2008, Pat Kenny tops the list of earners with a salary of €922,949 and €950,976 respectively for each year.
In previous years the national broadcaster released the salary information, on a voluntary basis, that were two years in arrears. However, the figures for both 2007 and 2008 have been released at this time.
A statement said:
“The broader spread of information is being released in recognition of public interest that, at time of economic difficulty and pressure on costs, RTÉ should be managing these costs downward just as it is taking a strong lead in the commercial state sector in reducing other costs.
“The data for 2007 and 2008 is historical data and reflects a period of buoyant trading when RTÉ was experiencing exceptional growth in revenues and when presenter talent fronting the most competitive and revenue-productive programming was in a position to negotiate strong agreements.
“Since that time the economic environment has dramatically changed. RTÉ, like all other media organisations depending on commercial revenues, is facing severe financial challenges and has had to make significant cost savings across the organisation. “
During the summer all RTÉ staff agreed to implement a cut in basic pay and further cost reduction schemes providing for early retirement and career breaks are currently being progressed.
RTÉ anticipates that through the combination of cost reduction measures introduced in 2009 that approximately €56 million of cost savings will be implemented by year end. This represents a reduction in RTÉ’s cost base of approximately 12.5% when compared to 2008.
A review of contracts, including the contracts of the station’s most highly remunerated on-air broadcasters, has also been made.
“RTÉ believes that our audience expects us to retain the services of the most talented broadcasters…As a severe trading environment compels RTÉ to sharply reduce its costs, it is appropriate that the most highly remunerated broadcasters should also reduce their fees,” the statement added.
The total paid by RTÉ to the top ten earners for 2009 will be 11.5% lower than in 2008.
Please note that broadcasters who may appear on RTÉ screens but who do not have a direct contractual relationship with RTÉ, either as an employee or as an independent contractor of one form or another, are not included in the attached lists.
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| 10 HIGHEST REMUNERATED PRESENTERS FOR THE YEAR 2008 ON AN EARNINGS BASIS |
RANK |
INDIVIDUAL |
STATUS |
EARNINGS - € |
1 |
Pat Kenny Media Services Ltd.
(for the services of Pat Kenny) |
Contractor |
950,976 |
2 |
Balcom Management Ltd.
(for the services of Gerry Ryan) |
Contractor |
629,865 |
3 |
Montrose Services Ltd.
(for the services of Marian Finucane) |
Contractor |
570,000 |
4 |
Tuttle Productions Ltd
(for the services Ryan Tubridy) |
Contractor |
533,333 |
5 |
CladdaghgreenLtd.
(for the services of Joe Duffy) |
Contractor |
408,889 |
6 |
Mac Consultants Ltd.
(for the services of Eamonn Dunphy) |
Contractor |
328,051 |
7 |
Baby Blue Productions Ltd.
(for the services of Miriam O'Callaghan) |
Contractor |
301,667 |
8 |
Derek Mooney |
Employee |
286,809 |
9 |
George Hamilton |
Contractor |
219,833 |
10 |
Sean O'Rourke |
Employee |
218,656 |
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| 10 HIGHEST REMUNERATED PRESENTERS FOR THE YEAR 2007 ON AN EARNINGS BASIS |
RANK |
INDIVIDUAL |
STATUS |
EARNINGS - € |
1 |
Pat Kenny Media Services Ltd.
(for the services of Pat Kenny) |
Contractor |
922,949 |
2 |
Balcom Management Ltd.
(for the services of Gerry Ryan) |
Contractor |
676,354 |
3 |
Montrose Services Ltd.
(for the services of Marian Finucane) |
Contractor |
470,013 |
4 |
Claddaghgreen Ltd.
(for the services of Joe Duffy) |
Contractor |
377,648 |
5 |
Trocity Productions Ltd.
(for the services of Ryan Tubridy) |
Contractor |
366,867 |
6 |
Baby Blue Productions Ltd.
(for the services of Miriam O'Callaghan) |
Contractor |
290,767 |
7 |
Derek Mooney |
Employee |
288,833 |
8 |
Mac Consultants Ltd.
(for the services of Eamonn Dunphy) |
Contractor |
285,915 |
9 |
Sean O'Rourke |
Employee |
232,820 |
10 |
John Kelly |
Contractor |
215,636 |
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NOTE 1: DEFINITION OF EARNINGS BASIS |
EMPLOYEES: The Earnings shown represent all amounts payable by RTÉ to the employee, including pension contributions and other benefits, irrespective of the timing of their payment, for his / her services during the years in question and encompassing both amounts earned under contract and in relation to any additional services provided over and above their contractual commitment. This treatment of the disclosure of Employee Earnings is analogous to the requirements set out in the Companies Acts in respect of the disclosure of Directors Remuneration. |
CONTRACTORS: The Earnings shown represent the amounts payable by RTÉ to the contractor, excluding value added tax, irrespective of the timing of their payment, for presenter services during the period, and encompassing both amounts earned under contract and in relation to any additional services provided over and above those contractually committed. |
NOTE 2: TREATMENT OF EMPLOYER'S PRSI & IRRECOVERABLE CONTRACTOR'S VAT |
As with the computation of disclosable Directors' Remuneration under the Companies Acts, the amounts set out above for the earnings of employees exclude employer's PRSI which is viewed as being a charge on the company rather than an element of an employee's remuneration. RTÉ is responsible for employer's PRSI on the income of each of its employees at rates of 2.35% or 10.75%, depending on the time of the employee's recruitment. Correspondingly the amounts set out above for the Earnings of Contractors exclude VAT. It should be noted that due to its VAT status, RTÉ is not entitled to recover approximately half of the VAT charge billed to it by suppliers including the named contractors. |
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