Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
164. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received copies of a review (details supplied) concerning bogus self-employment at RTÉ; if not, if she has sought it; if she understands the importance of this review for the future of the national broadcaster; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19829/24]
View answerEversheds Sutherland was retained by RTÉ to conduct an independent review on the use of freelancers / contractors at the broadcaster, and the terms of reference for the review were agreed by RTÉ with Eversheds Sutherland. The confidential report was presented to RTÉ as part of an internal Human Resources review process at the broadcaster, and as such it was not presented or submitted to me. The Department of Social Protection has an ongoing investigation into PRSI classification of certain workers and contractors at the broadcaster, and RTÉ is engaging with that Department on this matter. My Department has no role in this investigation.
As the Deputy will be aware, in July last year the Government approved the commissioning of two independent reviews of RTÉ overseen by two Expert Advisory Committees. One of the reviews was to examine the issue of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters, and examined three areas:
• the oversight and mechanisms by which RTÉ engages presenters and contractors;
• any issues arising from the use of short term employment contracts; and,
• employment terms and conditions, with a particular focus on gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
On the evening of 26 April 2024, I received the Reviews of Governance and Culture and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters prepared by the two independent Expert Advisory Committees. At the same time, I also received Mazars final report on their examination of the RTÉ barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts.
I am now examining the contents of these three comprehensive reports. The two independent Expert Advisory Committee reports are the only reports, since the crisis emerged in RTE, that contain recommendations. Once I have examined the three reports, I will bring the reports to Government. The reports will be published together after they have been brought to and considered by Government.
