RTE’s 10 highest earners confirmed and Patrick Kielty makes the cut

The Irish national broadcaster’s annual report also contains details of a golden handshake payment

The highest earners at RTÉ are no longer the famous presenters that make up the daily programming at the broadcaster – but the senior management.

In brand new figures revealed for earnings in 2024, the senior management team at Ireland’s national broadcaster are now taking in higher paychecks than the top presenters.

According to the annual RTÉ report for 2024, retired Liveline presenter Joe Duffy took the top spot, making €351,000 last year through his company Claddaghgreen Limited, making him the only broadcaster taking in more than management.

After the long time radio presenter, the top five spots are composed of management personnel. Director General Kevin Bakhurst takes in €339,954, Deputy Director-General Adrian Lynch receives €292,285, Chief Technology Officer Richard Waghorn receives €287,120, and Director of News and Current Affairs Deirdre McCarthy receives €281,187, The Independent reports.

Bakhurst is on a salary of €339,954 and has made it a policy that no one at the national broadcaster will be paid more than him in an effort to clean up after the payment scandal RTÉ faced.

The next broadcaster to make a spot on the list is radio and TV presenter Claire Byrne who made sixth place, making €280,000 through her firm Derrough Media Limited in 2024.

Next is departing Director of Human Resources Eimear Cusack, who earned €274,694, taking the seventh spot. Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty comes in at eight on the list, earning €255,657 through his company, Pamanco Ireland Limited.

Prime Time presenter Miriam O’Callaghan came in ninth on the list, with a salary of €246,708 coming in through her company, Baby Blue Productions Limited, with Brendan O’Connor in tenth with €244,099 for BOC Communications Limited.

The annual report also contains details of a golden handshake payment made last year to a member of management, who is not named.

“In 2024, there was one severance payment and includes a contribution to legal fees agreed with a former member of the previous executive board with a total cost of €475,000. In the comparative [2023], there were severance payment made totally €768,000 to previous members of the executive board.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.