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Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Kevin Bakhurst says €3.6m RTÉ loss is ‘very different' to past scandals
RTÉ will spend a further €1.6 million on a new human resources software system after previous efforts to upgrade it resulted in a €3.6 million write-down for the national broadcaster. But director general Kevin Bakhurst told politicians that while the write-down was 'very unfortunate', it was 'very different' from the financial scandals at RTÉ in 2023. He said the main part of the project, an updated finance system, had been delivered, while the HR element had not. RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst. Pic: Fran Veale He told the Oireachtas Media Committee yesterday: 'Big projects, and particularly big IT projects, can go wrong, and what I've looked back at is how the organisation tried to salvage that, and what are the lessons learned from that.' RTÉ's HR director, Eimear Cusack, said yesterday that the broadcaster is still using the same system that has been in place for the last 24 years, describing its condition as 'end of life'. But she also disclosed that the organisation is currently tendering for a new HR software. Richard Waghorn, RTÉ's chief technology officer, said that a budget of € 1.6 million has been approved for the system, which he anticipates will be delivered by next year. However, he noted that additional costs to maintain the system are expected on an annual basis. Eimear Cusack, Director of Human Resources, and Kevin Bakhurst, Director General, pictured arriving at Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin. Pic: Tom Honan RTÉ's appearance before the committee yesterday comes after the broadcaster confirmed that it had written down € 3.6 million on the partly failed IT system. Ms Cusack told the committee that the project 'ran into a number of difficulties'. 'I think that there were a number of issues that arose, particularly between the contractor and the subcontractor.' When it was put to her that the spec wasn't right, the right contractor wasn't chosen, and it was not properly project-managed, she said: 'I couldn't agree with that.' Eimear Cusack, Director of Human Resources. Pic: PA Wire She added: 'We put in our requirements, the contractor and the subcontractor who won the tender said that they could deliver on those requirements. Ultimately, the finance system was delivered upon. 'The HR system, they could not deliver on, but that was not known at the time that they signed up, and they said they could deliver on it.' Mr Bakhurst said that one example of the changes made as a result of this failure is that every month, the full list of significant capital projects now goes to the leadership team. Kevin Bakhurst. Pic: Fran Veale An RTÉ spokesman said that the new contract to provide the system is still out to tender and that a winning company has yet to be selected. The media committee also heard that 328 people had applied for RTÉ's voluntary exit programme (VEP), which was launched as part of efforts to slim down the broadcaster's workforce by 400 by 2028. Of these 328 staff, 127 will be made redundant this year. Mr Bakhurst said that RTÉ expects the cost of 2025 redundancies will reach € 15 million, equating to an average payment of €118,000 per head. RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst (left) and acting deputy-general Adrian Lynch. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire But the director general stressed that the final cost will depend on the profile of those approved to exit the organisation this year, which has yet to be determined. Deputy director of RTÉ Adrian Lynch, chairman of the RTÉ board Terence O'Rourke, RTÉ chief financial officer Mari Hurley and director of commercial Gavin Deans also appeared before the committee. Ms Hurley said that there was a 4% decline in TV licence fee revenues in 2024 compared to 2023. 'The more significant declines that have been experienced in 2023 have been averted,' she said. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire Mr Bakhurst also confirmed that former RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy has not repaid the €150,000 he received from the broadcaster for two promotional events that did not take place. Mr Bakhurst has previously said Mr Tubridy had planned to return the money, stating that there was a 'moral case' to pay RTÉ back. He reiterated yesterday that he 'would like' the former Late Late Show host to return the sum. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was asked yesterday if he thought Mr Tubridy should repay the money, but said he wasn't going to get into any 'witch hunt'. 'I think there has been an element of a witch hunt in all of this over the last three years. So I'm not going to go like the herd and just join any sort of attack on any individual,' Mr Martin said. He also said that he knew that the wider media had its own interests in RTÉ, saying, 'You can fight your battles, I'm not driving anything'. Mr Martin said he was 'not here' to 'micromanage' RTÉ but noted that the broadcaster had made 'some progress' in terms of the commitments it had made in terms of its policy and role as a public service broadcaster.
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Speed limiters for heavy vehicles offer chance for ‘mindset change'
SINGAPORE – Lucky Joint Construction (LJC) has enjoyed savings on fuel and maintenance costs since installing speed limiters on most of its heavy vehicles. That is on top of the devices' main benefit – preventing speeding. Mr Calvin Yeow, chief executive of LJC, a telecommunication infrastructure provider, said: 'We do believe that with the enhancement of these speed limiters, they can actually ensure real-time prevention (against speeding).' He was speaking at an event on May 27 where the media got to see the speed limiter up close for the first time since the device – roughly twice the size of a wallet – was made mandatory for heavy vehicles in Singapore. When a driver of a vehicle fitted with a speed limiter tries to rev beyond 60kmh, the engine does not respond – the vehicle maintains a speed of 60kmh. Since January 2024 , companies with heavy vehicles with a maximum laden weight of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg began installing speed limiters. Vehicle owners have been given two to three years to install the device. From Jan 1, 2026, newly imported vehicles of that capacity must be equipped with speed limiters in order to be approved for use in Singapore. As at the end of 2024, around 50 lorries which are required to install the speed limiters have done so, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam in a written Parliamentary reply on Jan 7 . About 17,000 eligible lorries are required to install the mandatory speed limiters. 'Speed limiters are really going to help drivers plan their journey,' said Mr Tony Lugg, chief executive of Project Argus, which brings in the AutoKontrol speed limiter showcased at the media event. 'They should slow them down, so they have more time to make decisions before they encounter an incident, as well as (save on) the wear and tear factors on the vehicle and, obviously, overall fuel savings.' Mr Lugg told the media that speed limiters offer a mindset change and a calming effect for heavy vehicle drivers – drivers would be forced to readjust their driving style, rather than driving too fast. But Mr Moses Lim, a director of NLT Vehicle Service, which installs speed limiters, said some heavy vehicle companies appear to be holding back on the installation of the devices. 'We always have this pool of companies that will just sit back and look at how others are doing,' said Mr Lim when describing the slow take-up rate of speed limiters. About 17,000 eligible lorries are required to install the mandatory speed limiters. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Mr Yeow said companies should not delay in getting speed limiters installed. 'If you... have the 'wait-and-see' approach, it'll be like a VEP (Malaysia's Vehicle Entry Permit) rush. You won't have time to do your operational planning,' he added. LJC started installing speed limiters in its heavy vehicles in March , providing another preventive measure against speeding in addition to other initiatives the company has implemented, such as a network operations centre. LJC's senior manager Jeyaraj Jenkin said speed limiters have helped his company save on fuel bills and vehicle maintenance for 67 of its 79 heavy vehicles installed with the device, which costs about $900 each. LJC's senior manager Jeyaraj Jenkin said speed limiters have helped his company save on fuel bills and vehicle maintenance. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN He added: 'In the past two years, I could see there were no speed-related accidents (with vehicles fitted with speed limiters and other internal preventive measures).' Emphasising the importance of installing speed limiters, a police spokesman at the event said 'there are still heavy vehicle drivers always in a hurry'. On Jan 21 , two people were killed in a morning accident on the Bukit Timah Expressway involving a lorry. The aftermath of the accident showed a stationary white lorry on the first lane of the expressway with a motorcycle near its rear. On March 24 , a 27-year-old motorcyclist died after he was involved in a collision with a lorry on the Seletar Expressway. In May , a total of 81 errant drivers of heavy vehicles were issued summonses following a three-day islandwide enforcement blitz, for offences such as speeding, using a mobile communication device while driving, failing to keep left and failing to visibly display a speed limiter label. Project Argus said the AutoKontrol speed limiter takes around 30 minutes to install and is sealed and tamper-proof. When there are signs of tampering during an annual inspection, the installer will inform the police. During the installation of the speed limiter, which comes with a three-year warranty, the vehicle will be road-tested and its speed calibrated. Installation can be done wherever the vehicles are located. The Traffic Police will be reviewing laws to strengthen deterrence against speed limiter offences such as tampering and non-compliant speed limiters, and against unauthorised speed limiter works. More details will be announced later. Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
More than 300 RTÉ staff apply for voluntary exit programme
Payments for those who leave will be capped at €300,000 A total of 325 RTÉ workers have applied for a voluntary exit programme as the broadcaster aims to cut staff numbers by up to 400. The scheme that opened last month closed today. Payments for those who leave will be capped at €300,000. Workers who are approved will leave the organisation by the end of this year. In an email to staff this evening, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said the voluntary exit programme (VEP) was now closed. 'I can confirm that we received a total of 325 applications,' he said. 'As you know, this VEP comprises a Voluntary Severance (VS) and Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme and was open to employees who will have completed at least two years' continuous service on the date their employment ceases.' News in 90 Seconds - May 23rd He said applications would be approved only where a robust business case was made, and it could be confirmed that the role can be suppressed or that equivalent savings can be made by suppressing an alternative post and, or redeploying an employee into that role. Mr Bakhurst said applicants could choose to accept or decline an offer of VS or VER. 'Where decisions are straightforward and approved by RTÉ's leadership team and the RTÉ board's Remuneration and Management Committee, we will make every effort to allow these people leave the organisation as early as is practical, without unduly impacting our operations,' he said. 'All applications will go through a five-stage review process throughout the coming months, as previously outlined, with final decisions on all applications being made by the leadership team and final oversight by the RTÉ board's Remuneration and Management Committee.' He said a review of applications had already begun. Mr Bakhurst said while there may be exceptions, communication of final decisions would start from September 1, 'with exits of successful applicants taking place on October 31, November 30 and December 31'. Staff with over two years' continuous service on their departure date are eligible to apply. Those with between two and five years of service will receive four weeks' pay per year of service. Those with five to 10 years' service will receive five weeks' pay per year of service. Those working at RTÉ for more than 10 years will get six weeks' pay for every year of service. In a previous email to staff, Mr Bakhurst said any future exit scheme could be less financially beneficial than this one. He confirmed that the Department of Public Expenditure had given RTÉ approval to open the scheme this year. Senior management are not eligible to apply. The exit scheme was part of RTÉ's five-year strategy announced in 2023.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE confirms more than 300 applications for voluntary exit programme
RTE has received 325 applications from staff seeking to avail of the broadcaster's voluntary exit programme. In an email to staff on Friday, Director General Kevin Bakhurst confirmed that RTE's Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP) is now closed. In the email, Mr Bakhurst said: "As you know, this VEP comprises a Voluntary Severance (VS) and Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme and was open to employees who will have completed at least two years' continuous service on the date their employment ceases." He said: "Applications will be approved only where a robust business case is made, and it is confirmed that the role can be suppressed or that equivalent savings can be made by suppressing an alternative post and/or redeploying an employee into that role." Confirming the 325 total to have applied, Mr Bakhurst said that "applicants can choose to accept or decline an offer of VS or VER". He said: "Where decisions are straightforward and approved by RTÉ's Leadership Team and the RTÉ Board's Remuneration and Management Committee, we will make every effort to allow these people leave the organisation as early as is practical, without unduly impacting our operations. Mr Bakhurst said: "All applications will go through a five-stage review process throughout the coming months, as previously outlined, with final decisions on all applications being made by the Leadership Team and final oversight by the RTÉ Board's Remuneration and Management Committee." He said that a review of applications has already commenced. He said: "While there may be exceptions, communication of final decisions will commence from 1 September, with exits of successful applicants taking place on 31 October, 30 November and 31 December." RTE opened the scheme on April 23, when it capped redundancy payments at €300,000. Those with five to 10 years of service will receive five weeks of pay per year, and employees working with RTÉ for more than 10 years will get six weeks' pay for every year of service. The payments will be based on an employee's exit salary and they will not qualify for any further redundancy. In a previous email to staff on the VEP, Mr Bakhurst cautioned that while the Department of Public Expenditure has given RTÉ approval to operate a VEP this year, any future scheme could be less financially beneficial than this one. The approval of a redundancy plan at RTÉ by the Government was confirmed on 28 March. The VEP comes as part of a five-year strategy announced in 2023, where the broadcaster outlined a plan to reduce staff numbers by up to 400.
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
RTÉ receives 325 applications for voluntary exit scheme
RTÉ has said that it received 325 applications for its Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP). Staff members who are approved for the scheme will leave the organisation by the end of this year. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said in an email to staff this evening that the "VEP comprises a Voluntary Severance (VS) and Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme and was open to employees who will have completed at least two years' continuous service on the date their employment ceases". He said that applications will be approved where "it is confirmed that the role can be suppressed or that equivalent savings can be made by suppressing an alternative post and/or redeploying an employee into that role". Applicants will have the choice to accept or decline an offer of VS or VER. Mr Bakhurst said a review of the applications has already commenced. He said the successful applicants will leave RTÉ on 31 October, 30 November or 31 December. The VEP comes as part of a five-year strategy announced in 2023 where the broadcaster outlined a plan to reduce staff numbers by up to 400. To be eligible, employees had to have completed at least two years of continuous service on the date they would leave the organisation under the scheme, with payments capped at €300,000. Staff with between two and five years' of service will receive four weeks of pay per year of service. Those with five to ten years' of service will receive five weeks of pay per year, and employees working with RTÉ for more than ten years will get six weeks' pay for every year of service. The payments will be based on an employee's exit salary and they will not qualify for any further redundancy. In an email to staff when the scheme opened, Mr Bakhurst said that while the Department of Public Expenditure had given RTÉ approval to operate a VEP this year, any future scheme could be less financially beneficial than this one. Senior management were not eligible to apply. The approval of a redundancy plan at RTÉ by the Government was confirmed on 28 March.
