RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst says it is not possible to provide overall cost savings figures from outsourcing programmes to the independent sector. In comments reported by multiple outlets, Bakhurst argues that RTÉ is “not in the business of being cheap as chips,” responding to questions about whether outsourcing delivers measurable reductions in costs. He states it is “impossible” to give an overall savings estimate, implying that any financial impact is difficult to calculate across the wider outsourcing programmes.
The reporting focuses on Bakhurst’s position amid scrutiny of RTÉ’s spending decisions and the rationale for moving work to independent providers. Rather than offering specific financial outcomes, he emphasizes the limitations of attributing a single, total savings number to outsourcing initiatives. The outlets agree on the core message: RTÉ continues to justify its approach without committing to an overall cost-savings figure, and Bakhurst frames the organization’s priorities as extending beyond pursuing the lowest possible price.
