David McCullagh Joins RTE’s Top Earners with €240,000 Salary

RTE has announced that presenter David McCullagh will join its top ten highest-paid presenters with a salary package valued at €240,000. This news coincides with the broadcaster’s ongoing voluntary redundancy programme, which aims to reduce its workforce by 400 over five years, starting in 2023. McCullagh’s new role will begin on November 3, 2023, as he takes over the Today radio show from Claire Byrne.

The voluntary redundancy programme has seen a significant response, with 325 staff members applying for voluntary severance and retirement. Kevin Bakhurst, RTE’s Director General, stated that a considerable number of applications have been approved, although some are still under review. He emphasized that while many will receive offer letters soon, not all applications can be accommodated.

In his new position, McCullagh will earn a base salary of €209,000, supplemented by a pension that brings the total package to approximately €240,000. Speaking on RTE’s Oliver Callan programme, he noted, “So for the first time, I’ll be in, I presume I’ll be in, the top 10 list. So everybody will know how much I’m getting paid.” Prior to this announcement, McCullagh’s salary was not publicly disclosed, and he was outside the top earners according to RTE’s own reports.

The latest salary figures reveal that George Lee ranked tenth among RTE presenters, earning €185,000, while Joe Duffy, the highest-paid presenter until his recent retirement, earned €350,000.

Byrne, who previously earned €280,000 before taking a €30,000 pay cut under RTE’s new salary cap, is transitioning to a role at Bauer Media for a significantly higher salary. She is set to take over Pat Kenny’s weekday slot on Newstalk next spring.

McCullagh expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating he regards the Today programme as “probably one of the best gigs in Irish media.” He acknowledged the legacy of excellent presenters that came before him, noting the recent audience figures for the show, which reported approximately 354,000 listeners.

In addition to his new responsibilities on radio, McCullagh will continue to anchor general and election coverage for RTE News. His commitment to remaining a staff member rather than a contractor underscores his dedication to the national broadcaster.

As RTE navigates this transitional phase, the implications of these changes extend beyond salaries, reflecting a broader strategy to streamline operations while retaining key talent in a competitive media landscape.