RTÉ is to spend an estimated €1 million on a beefed-up internal audit function over the next five years.
This follows RTÉ seeking tenders from firms to provide co-sourced Internal Audit Services at the national broadcaster.
RTÉ is seeking to increase its internal audit function following a recommendation contained in a report made by the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on Governance and Culture at RTÉ.
The Review of Governance and Culture of RTÉ was published in May of this year and was overseen by the EAC composed of chair, Professor Niamh Brennan, Dr Margaret Cullen and Stephen Smith.
The review was carried out in the wake of the 2023 payments scandal at the national broadcaster.
Asked to comment on the new tender, a spokesman for RTE said today: “RTÉ is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified parties to provide Internal Audit Services.
He said: “This will enhance RTÉ's internal audit function in line with the EAC Recommendations on internal audit."
The tender states that the successful tenderer will provide co-sourced Internal Audit Services to RTÉ under the direction of its internally appointed Head of Internal Audit.
The tender documentation also states that the Tenderer will be responsible for the planning, execution and reporting of the internal audit assignments included in the agreed annual audit plan and allocated to the service provider.
The tender states that the scope of Internal Audit does not include editorial matters at the national broadcaster.
Examples of the work to be undertaken by the successful tenderer includes Design and Operating Effectiveness Reviews – internal audit reviews of the design and operating effectiveness of key policies, procedures, and controls in place over the main operationally/financially significant functions, both corporately and in the business divisions.
Another example cited in the tender documentation is 'Corporate Governance and Compliance Reviews' that test the controls in place to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and auditing the data protection arrangements.
The programme will vary from year to year over the course of the contract.
The deadline for the submission of tenders is January 9th and RTÉ expects to award the tender in February.
