RTÉ fixes €290,000 travel tender error

“RTÉ invites submissions, from suitably qualified tenderers for who can provide corporate travel services,” the tender reads. “This will include facilitating the booking of travel [flights, ferry, trains] and accommodation [primarily outside of Ireland].

The Irish Examiner first became aware of the tender, for all corporate travel by the broadcaster, on Monday afternoon.

Queries were lodged with RTÉ as to the value of the tender, due to the estimated value being listed as €1.

However, on Tuesday, the broadcaster had amended its tender to correctly show that it is valued at an estimated €290,000 over the next year.

RTÉ said an error in entering the item in the new e-tendering system led to the estimated cost being listed as €1.

“Technical and operational difficulties with the new e-tenders system would appear to have entered a value of €1,” said a spokesperson for RTÉ.

“While the actual value of the tender is not fully determined — as it is dependent on the need to travel predominantly to cover news stories, sporting events, plus other corporate travel requirements — the estimated value for the 12-month contract is approximately €250,000-€290,000.”

The spokesperson confirmed that the tender has since been updated.

'Fair City' tender

In recent months, RTÉ faced criticism following a tender for a Fair City photographer, valued at €60,000 a year — totalling €240,000 over the full period.

However, RTÉ suspended its search for the photographer, with director general Kevin Bakhurst saying that it is “not possible for RTÉ to commit to a four-year contract, or to this level of spend, given the challenges we now face”.

It comes as the broadcaster confirmed that it would be cutting 20% of its workforce over the next five years and cutting its costs by €10m, as part of its strategic plan.

This means that there are 380 people to be cut from the organisation, with part of this reduction due to natural attrition through retirements.

Following the publication of the strategic plan, the Government approved a bailout of €56m for the broadcaster, with €40m to be provided in the new year.