RTÉ reported expenditures exceeding €800,000 on taxis, mileage, and car hire for staff and guests in the first half of the year. This figure reflects significant costs associated with travel for broadcast activities and operational needs.
Breakdown of Travel Expenses
Among the total amount spent, mileage costs were the highest, amounting to over €384,000. This expenditure primarily supported employees traveling to and from various work locations.
- Mileage Costs: €384,000
- Taxi Fares: €268,000
- Car Hire: €151,000
Taxi fares for the organization reached nearly €268,000, translating to approximately €45,000 monthly for domestic and international trips. Car hire costs joined the tally with just over €151,000 spent, spanning both local and overseas rentals.
Key Areas of Spending
- News and Current Affairs: €320,000
- Sports Division: €150,000
- Content Department: €176,000
- Radio 1: €59,000
- RnaG: €28,500
Travel expenses varied significantly across different departments. The highest costs were incurred by the news and current affairs team, spending over €320,000. Meanwhile, the sports department accounted for around €150,000 in travel costs.
Details on Expenditure Reporting
RTÉ chose not to disclose itemized details for €765,000 of the travel spending. They stated that this expenditure related to broadcasting functions, thus qualifying for exemption under Freedom of Information regulations. A spokesman noted, “The costs were incurred for various reasons, such as guest transportation and business travel.”
Despite the lack of detailed breakdown for much of the expenditure, RTÉ provided specific figures for its commercial operations. Between January and June, these expenses amounted to about €39,000, with various departments contributing to the total, including:
- Director General’s Office: €2,545
- Product Development: €7,200
- Production Services: €3,759
- Property and Services: €1,968
RTÉ remains dedicated to ensuring value for money in its operations. They continue to monitor travel expenses closely, emphasizing the importance of cost-effectiveness in ongoing procedures.
