RTE locked in €5.4k battle against mice and rats invading campus – including creche & Fair City set as experts called in
RTE has had a spate of pest problems this year with rats and mice sighted in the creche, the main canteen, the wardrobe department, and even on the Fair City set.
The broadcaster has
Advertisement
4
Rodent activity was found on the Fair City set
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
4
Rentokil inspected and treated the areas with rodent activity
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Last December, exterminators were called in after a 'reported mouse sighting' in the campus creche, according to inspection logs.
A report said the area was inspected and treated and that a follow-up visit would take place within ten days.
In February, there were further problems at the creche when there was 'reported mouse droppings in the kitchen.'
On the same day, another report came in from the second floor of the
Advertisement
READ MORE IRISH NEWS
A follow-up inspection warned that there was a large gap under the main doors of the library, which might have been the cause of the problem.
A report said: 'Bristle strips are advised as it prevents easy access for rodents.
'All fly units cleaned and maintained, and new sticky boards fitted and found to be in good working order."
In late March, Rentokil were called out after a 'mouse sighting' in the
Advertisement
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
Live Blog
All monitoring points were inspected and showed no signs of 'lingering activity,' but two new special mouse-catching RADAR units were installed as a precaution.
RTE Fair City viewers left saying same thing as Carrigstown favourite makes shock return
Follow-up inspections on the canteen and other food areas of RTE showed no further activity, according to records.
During April, an exterminator twice found evidence of rodent activity at a rubbish compactor area, although a follow-up later that month said the problem had been resolved.
One of the reports said: 'Area was inspected, further rodent activity found at the waste management area and
Advertisement
CANTEEN REOPENED
Other pest problems included rodent droppings in a wardrobe washing area with 'old rat droppings' found following a deeper investigation.
A spokesman said RTE had an ongoing contract for regular checks and inspections and where rodent activity is suspected, appropriate treatment is applied and follow-up calls arranged.
He said: 'A small number of isolated minor occurrences of rodent activity have been identified over the past 12 months on RTE's
"In these cases, Rentokil inspected and treated the relevant area.
Advertisement
"There has been no disruption to RTE's operations during this period.
'RTE's Main Canteen is under new management and will re-open to staff on Saturday 7th June, following an interim period to allow the new contractor to establish its operations.'
4
RTE had an ongoing contract for regular checks and inspections on the campus
Credit: Handout
4
Two new special mouse-catching RADAR units were installed as a precaution
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Extra.ie
RTÉ's unwelcome guests: Rats run riot in Montrose
RTÉ has had a spate of pest problems this year with rats and mice sighted in the crèche, the main canteen, the wardrobe department, and even on the Fair City set. The national broadcaster has spent €5,400 on pest checks and inspections over the past 12 months in its sprawling Dublin 4 complex. Last December, exterminators were called in after a 'reported mouse sighting' in the crèche, inspection logs revealed. RTÉ has had a spate of pest problems this year with rats and mice sighted in the crèche, the main canteen, the wardrobe department, and even on the Fair City set. Pic: Fran Veale A report said the area was inspected and treated and that a follow-up visit would take place within ten days. In February, there were more problems at the crèche when there were 'reported mouse droppings in the kitchen'. On the same day, another report came in from the second floor of the RTÉ library building where 'one dead mouse was removed from the premises'. The national broadcaster has spent €5,400 on pest checks and inspections over the past 12 months in its sprawling Dublin 4 complex. Pic: Fran Veale A follow-up inspection warned that there was a large gap under the main doors of the library, which might have been the cause of the problem. A report said: 'Bristle strips are advised as it prevents easy access for rodents. 'All fly units cleaned and maintained, and new sticky boards fitted and found to be in good working order.' In late March, Rentokil was called out after a 'mouse sighting' in the main canteen. All monitoring points were inspected and showed no signs of 'lingering activity,' but two new special mouse-catching Radar (Rodent Activated Detection And Riddance) units were installed as a precaution. A stock image of a rodent. Pic: Shutterstock Follow-up inspections on the canteen and other food areas of RTÉ showed no further activity, according to records. In April, an exterminator twice found evidence of rodent activity at a rubbish compactor area, although a follow-up later that month said the problem had been resolved. One of the reports said: 'Area was inspected, further rodent activity found at the waste management area and Fair City set.' Other problems were rodent droppings in a wardrobe area with 'old rat droppings' found after a deeper investigation. One of the reports said: 'Area was inspected, further rodent activity found at the waste management area and Fair City set.' Pic: RTÉ A spokesman said RTÉ had an ongoing contract for checks and inspections and where rodent activity is suspected, appropriate treatment is applied and follow-up calls arranged. He said: 'A small number of isolated minor occurrences of rodent activity have been identified over the past 12 months on RTÉ's Donnybrook campus. 'In these cases, Rentokil inspected and treated the relevant area. There has been no disruption to RTÉ's operations during this period.' RTÉ's main canteen, which the spokesman said is 'under new management', reopened to staff last Saturday, June 7, 'following an interim period to allow the new contractor to establish its operations', he added. A stock image of a rodent. Pic: Shutterstock Meanwhile, staff have long complained about the state of the offices in Donnybrook, with numerous reports that the canteen has been overrun with rodents in recent years, while one disgruntled RTÉ worker told the Mail that the newsroom is a 'f***ing kip'. exposed how journalists at the national broadcaster were 'livid' over the station's use of actors to play journalists in a promotional video filmed in the national broadcaster's newsroom. RTÉ's managing director of news, Deirdre McCarthy, later confirmed that the total cost for the promotional ad was expected to be €77,000, plus VAT. A spokeswoman for RTÉ confirmed it was planning a new promotion 'highlighting the work of journalists within RTÉ News and Current Affairs'. She confirmed that 'some newsroom staff' have asked questions about the new campaign. It was also confirmed the promotion was created in-house, but some 'additional filming crews' were brought in to help shoot the ad. It is being made from existing in-house marketing budgets.
Sunday World
15 hours ago
- Sunday World
RTÉ spend thousands tackling rats and mice on set of Fair City
RTÉ spent over €5,000 treating rodent problem over the last year Canteen, creche and wardrobe dept also hit by rodents RTÉ has had a spate of pest problems this year with rats and mice sighted in the creche, the main canteen, the wardrobe department, and even on the Fair City set. The broadcaster has faced an ongoing battle against four-legged invaders on its sprawling Dublin 4 complex with €5,400 spent on checks and inspections over the past 12 months. Last December, exterminators were called in after a 'reported mouse sighting' in the campus creche, according to inspection logs. A report said the area was inspected and treated and that a follow-up visit would take place within 10 days. In February, there were further problems at the creche when there was 'reported mouse droppings in the kitchen.' On the same day, another report came in from the second floor of the RTÉ library building where 'one dead mouse was removed from the premises.' Canteen, creche and wardrobe dept also hit by rodents News in 90 Seconds - June 11th A follow-up inspection warned that there was a large gap under the main doors of the library, which might have been the cause of the problem. A report said: 'Bristle strips are advised as it prevents easy access for rodents. 'All fly units cleaned and maintained, and new sticky boards fitted and found to be in good working order." In late March, Rentokil were called out after a 'mouse sighting' in the main canteen. An RTÉ canteen which was closed in 2023 due to an infestation. All monitoring points were inspected and showed no signs of 'lingering activity,' but two new special mouse-catching RADAR units were installed as a precaution. Follow-up inspections on the canteen and other food areas of RTÉ showed no further activity, according to records. During April, an exterminator twice found evidence of rodent activity at a rubbish compactor area, although a follow-up later that month said the problem had been resolved. One of the reports said: 'Area was inspected, further rodent activity found at the waste management area and Fair City set.' Other pest problems included rodent droppings in a wardrobe washing area with 'old rat droppings' found following a deeper investigation. A spokesman said RTÉ had an ongoing contract for regular checks and inspections and where rodent activity is suspected, appropriate treatment is applied and follow-up calls arranged. He said: 'A small number of isolated minor occurrences of rodent activity have been identified over the past 12 months on RTÉ's Donnybrook Campus. In these cases, Rentokil inspected and treated the relevant area. There has been no disruption to RTÉ's operations during this period. 'RTÉ's Main Canteen is under new management and will re-open to staff on Saturday June 7, following an interim period to allow the new contractor to establish its operations.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Over 100k Irish kids are living in consistent poverty – Government must act now in these 4 key areas to break the cycle
THE Children's Rights Alliance launched its latest annual Child Poverty Monitor yesterday. This gives an insight into the lived reality of children and young people experiencing poverty. 2 Children's Rights Alliance's Tanya Ward looks at four key areas where children were failed last year. Credit: MAXWELLS DUBLIN 2 The number of children living in consistent poverty in 2024 almost doubled Credit: Getty Images - Getty The number of Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, said: 'A childhood in poverty is one spent in cold, dark and damp housing, travelling hours just to get to school or knowing that there won't be a hot dinner for the rest of the week. 'Thousands of families are being forced to live on such tight margins that they live in constant fear of their child needing a 'What is deeply concerning is the number of children in consistent poverty - who are living in these conditions perpetually. These are children for whom a decent standard of living and aspirations of a better future diminish day by day. Read more in News 'This poverty is not inevitable. Policy decisions and budget investments determine the fate of these children and young people.' Here, Tanya looks at four key areas where children were failed last year. HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS WE only need to look at last month's figures that show an additional 100 children made homeless to know that the current policy is not working and inflicting untold trauma on the now 4,775 children without a home. The rise in homeless figures is nothing new. We have seen a year-on-year increase every time we publish the Child Poverty Monitor. The combination of rising rents and a scarcity of supply has resulted in thousands of families being made homeless but also, countless more living in seriously cramped and inappropriate conditions. Most read in The Irish Sun Overcrowding is a major issue for children living on the lowest incomes. Almost one in four children at risk of poverty are growing up in overcrowded households. While the trend is more common across Europe, the rate of overcrowding for children has effectively doubled in FAMILY SUPPORT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE WITHOUT access to critical child protection and welfare services and family support in their community, families are pushed further to breaking point. Referrals to Tusla Child and Family Agency have increased by 70 per cent since 2019. Last year's budget allocation to Tusla was mostly to maintain existing levels of care, failing to acknowledge the spike in referrals and the increased complexity of cases. We are calling for direct investment of €50million to ensure our core child protection and welfare services are supported to help children most vulnerable in society. ADEQUATE INCOME: POVERTY and income are inextricably linked. As rent and the cost of living eat away at available income, families are left without enough money in their pockets, going to extraordinary lengths and debts just to get through the week. Positively, This targeted income support is designed to help children in families already relying on It is critical that these supports are increased adequately in Budget 2026, and that investment is sustained across subsequent budgets under this EARLY YEARS AND EDUCATION: THE single most effective action the Government can take in breaking the intergenerational cycle of child poverty is to invest in children in their early years. The Government has taken the first step in addressing this through the development of Equal Start that aims to deliver universal and targeted supports to families and early years settings grappling with the impact of poverty. However, the programme is not sufficiently funded. We need to see investment significantly scaled up in Budget 2026. Poverty is scarring for children. Schools are grappling with crime, violence, addiction, death in their school communities and childhood trauma that is beyond the capacity of the current DEIS programme. There are also children experiencing poverty who do not attend a DEIS school. We need to see the introduction of a dedicated fund for non-DEIS schools so they can respond and support their students dealing with adverse childhood experiences. The multifaceted nature of child poverty is laid bare in the Child Poverty Monitor and in wider research. As it stands, it will take Ireland four to five generations to break the cycle of poverty. Children cannot wait that long.
