RTÉ to move from Cork city HQ and hire more employees

RTÉ plans to move from its current Cork premises on Fr Mathew Street to a new, central location by 2027, with an increased number of staff, the station’s director general, Kevin Bakhurst has said.

Speaking at a meeting with a gathering of independent radio and television producers in the Imperial Hotel, Mr Bakhurst added that RTÉ was committed to producing more programmes from Cork.

More than 200 people attended the meeting with Mr Bakhurst and RTÉ chairman Terence O Rourke.

Determined 

Mr Bakhurst confirmed that RTÉ is determined to sell its headquarters on Father Matthew Street, and that the State broadcaster is considering a shortlist of other premises in the city centre.

“We looked at where we should be based, to start with, should we stay in Fr Mathew St and renovate, because obviously the building’s not in great shape, or should we move somewhere else,” he said.

“Quite quickly we took a decision that it would be much cleaner, and quicker, and better cheaper, and more sustainable, to find new premises.” 

He added that RTÉ has been working with estate agent Savills Cork as its property advisor, and it was hoped that the move would be completed within two years, he said.

Success

Mr Bakhurst did not respond him The Echo asked him how many people currently work for RTÉ Cork, but it is understood that the figure is between 40 and 50.

“I don’t think we’re going to measure the success of Cork on the numbers of people, it’s not necessarily about the numbers and it’s not going to be 'we’ve got 50-odd now and we’re going to be up to 100'.

“That’s not the measure of success to me, it’s about the content that we’re producing.” 

He added that the number of staff employed by RTÉ in Cork “will be bigger, that’s for sure,” but he declined to specify by how many.