RTÉ Spends Over €1M On Orchestras Every Month

RTÉ bosses have spent almost €100 million of the taxpayers’ money on orchestras over the course of six years.

Just to put that into perspective, that equals approximately €1.4 million a month or €45,000 every day.

According to recent figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request by the Irish Daily Star, RTÉ’s five orchestras and choirs (The National Symphony Orchestra, The National Concert Orchestra, The Philharmonic Choir, The Vanburgh Quartet and Cor ma nOg) cost just under €100 million between 2006 and 2011.

The report explains that the orchestras and choirs took in €15 million in revenue in sales which means a loss of €85 million, a sum that could go towards preventing staff cuts or maintaining the emergency services.

A source also reveals that while the musicians are said to provide their own instruments, their salaries range from €30,000 to €75,000.

As yet the figures for 2012 have not been disclosed but RTÉ did release a statement last night defending its arguably excessive spending:  “Both in broadcast output and in live performance, they make a valued contribution to Irish culture and society.”

They added that the costs, which have apparently been reduced, covers the likes of venue hire, insurance and transport.

The cost of the broadcaster's orchestras has been revealed.