Hundreds of staff apply to leave RTÉ under Government-backed voluntary exit scheme

More than 300 RTÉ employees have applied to leave the company under a voluntary exit programme which was approved by Government earlier this year.

The scheme, which offers a maximum pay out of €300,000, opened in March and the deadline to apply has now closed.

RTÉ has confirmed a process is now underway to consider the applications and that those employees whose departure is approved will leave the broadcaster in the final quarter of this year.

Previously, the national broadcaster announced its target figure for voluntary exits this year is more than 100 and that it aims to reduce its workforce by around 400 over the next five years.

It's understood that RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst confirmed the Voluntary Exit Programme has now closed in an email which was sent staff on Friday evening.

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Under the terms of the exit programme, only employees with at least two years of continuous service and whose roles can be suppressed will be considered for approval.

RTÉ says there will be a robust process to determine who can leave the company and that each application will be considered by its Leadership Team before any decisions are made.