RTÉ has advertised to fill two new senior roles on its leadership team – a Director of Audio and a Director of Video.
The positions will replace the role of Director of Content, which is currently held by Jim Jennings.
Mr Jennings has been unable to return to work since last year due to illness and has declined invitations to appear before Oireachtas committee hearings citing health reasons.
Asked if the advertising of the new positions meant Mr Jennings had left the broadcaster, an RTÉ spokesperson said: “Jim Jennings is still employed by RTÉ.”
In September last year, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst announced a recruitment freeze and a pause in discretionary spending.
RTÉ said that the two new roles will not lead to a net increase in the size of the leadership team due to the suppression of the Director of Strategy role.
Rory Coveney resigned from that position in July 2023.
In February of this year, RTÉ confirmed that Mr Coveney had received an exit payment and that the role had become redundant.
RTÉ described the new Director of Audio and Director of Video roles as business critical.
The broadcaster said the positions will enable RTÉ to deliver informative, engaging and entertaining public service content for audiences across platforms; grow and develop the delivery of digital content; and deliver the necessary transformation of content areas as outlined in its future strategy.
“The creation of these two roles will also allow the successful candidates to lead teams of manageable sizes which will enable improved engagement and communication with these teams,” a spokesperson for RTÉ said.
