The upcoming host of RTÉ's Late Late Show Patrick Kielty has disclosed he will be paid €250,000 per 30-show season and has signed a contract for three seasons.
In a statement, Kielty said: "I'm pleased to finally be able to share that I've signed a three-season deal to host The Late Late Show beginning this September.”
"I'm being paid €250,000 per 30-show season. If additional shows are requested by RTÉ, they'll be paid on a pro-rata basis.”
"I'm also receiving a one-off payment of €20,000 to cover the pre-production and rehearsals from now to September.”
"The contract allows me to submit flight and accommodation expenses, but I've waived this. I've made it clear to RTÉ that I will be covering my own flights and accommodation costs.”
"I've also asked RTÉ to carbon offset my flights.”
"I genuinely hope this helps clarify things going forward. I can't wait to get started."
It is believed RTÉ's Remuneration Committee will discuss Kielty's pay deal at a meeting on Friday.
Kielty's statement follows calls to disclose the details of his remuneration package, in response to RTÉ’s admission that former Late Late host Ryan Tubridy was paid significantly more than declared to the public and the Oireachtas.
According to the RTÉ Board’s statement, Tubridy received a series of payments totalling €345,000 above his annual published salary between 2017 and 2022.
The Oireachtas Committee on Media was told yesterday that Kielty's pay deal could be made public by Friday, given both he and the RTÉ Remuneration Committee mutually agree to do so.
Patrick Kielty is set to begin his role as the fourth presenter of The Late Late Show for its 61st season next September.
