RTÉ will deliver comprehensive coverage of Budget 2021 on Tuesday 13th October with extensive reporting and analysis across television, radio and online.

 Television coverage of Budget 2021 begins on RTÉ One at 12.40pm as David McCullagh and Sharon Tobin present live coverage and analysis of the Budget speech right through the afternoon. There will be reaction from politicians, representatives bodies and organisations across the country via RTÉ ‘s network of regional studios. Members of the public in Laois and Cork will share their views and Eileen Whelan will be getting the latest reaction from various interest groups in Dublin. Live coverage of Dáil Éireann proceedings across the day including responses from the opposition will be broadcast on RTÉ News channel from 1.00pm.

RTÉ Radio 1 coverage of the budget speeches will be broadcast live on a special extended News at One with Bryan Dobson, beginning at 12.45pm until 3.30pm, featuring immediate reaction and analysis. Join the Drivetimewith Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra budget panel from 4.30pm, with analysis of how the changes will affect workers and those in receipt of state benefits, and political reaction from across the spectrum in Dáil Éireann. The programme will also focus on how the changes announced in Budget 2021 will affect key areas in the lives of people throughout Ireland. 

On RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Gormfhlaith Ní Thuairisg will present live coverage and analysis of Budget 2021 on Lá na Cáinaisnéise from 1.30pm. Panellists including finance expert Conall Ó Móráin, tax consultant Ciarán Ó Feinneadha, Dr Joe Barry, Clinical Professor in Public Health Medicine, Professor of Sociology Seán Ó Riain, journalist Áine Ní Chiaráin, and Anna Heussaff from Friends of the Earth, will analyse the implications and likely political fallout of the decisions announced today, and hear reaction from representatives from across the political spectrum as well. 

RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News App will provide comprehensive online coverage and analysis, including full Budget detail and reaction in English and as Gaeilge. RTÉ’s news tracker will chart each development on this key day for every Irish household and business. Live streams from all of RTÉ’s television and radio coverage will be available worldwide to users via RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio Player. 

Nuacht RTÉ will follow the live budget coverage directly on RTÉ One at 5.45pm. The Six One News will provide a comprehensive look at the Budget, a live interview with the Minister of Finance and analysis from RTÉ correspondents along with reaction from politicians. Later in the evening there will be also be budget news and reaction on the Nine O’Clock News with Sharon Ní Bheoláinfollowed by thePrime TimeBudget Special at 9.40pm presented by Miriam O’Callaghan. The programme will be analysing the effect of the measures on those workers most effected by Covid and will feature a debate between the Minister for Finance and Opposition.

Nuacht TG4 at 7.00pm will have full updates and reaction from around the country and later at 8.00pm, further analysis and political reaction on7Lá, presented by Máirín Ní Ghadhra.
 On RTÉ Radio 1 from 10pm, The Late Debate with Katie Hannon will have a budget special – hearing from all parties and independent politicians, along with representative groups to find out what the 2021 budget will mean and what the reaction is to it.

On the morning after the budget, Claire Byrne will be joined by Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath in studio for what has become the annual budget phone in special. Today with Claire Byrne invites listeners to phone in to speak to the Ministers directly and ask them about their concerns as a result of Budget 2021. 

A brand new talk show helmed by comedian Deirdre O’Kane is set to brighten dark winter nights on Saturdays this November on RTÉ  One; the six part series, Deirdre O’Kane Talks Funny, will uncover what makes some of Ireland’s best loved personalities tick and celebrate careers which have entertained the nation via stage and screen.

Deirdre will get up close and personal with a number of the country’s most renowned names in intimate conversations which promise both humour and insight as they reminisce over career highlights and share personal experiences and memories. Peppered throughout with favourite clips of her subjects’ work, Deirdre will accompany guests down memory lane with buoyant, fun-filled chats which may reveal to viewers a different side of their favourite Irish celeb.

Speaking about the announcement, Deirdre O’Kane said: “It’s been a long-held dream of mine to do a show like this where I get to sit down and have a proper chat with fellow performers, creatives and comrades in entertainment. The aim is definitely to have a bit of craic with it, but I think we’ll also get genuine insight into how our guests were inspired to do what they do and how they forged their paths. I’m really fired up at the prospect, I have to say; I’m biased of course but I do think it’ll make for a great watch!”

John McHugh, RTÉ Group Head of Entertainment and Music says, “We are delighted that Ireland’s comedy queen is joining our new weekend line-up on RTÉ One with her brand-new show Deirdre O’Kane Talks Funny. We are looking forward to her and her guests whipping up some much welcome laughs and smiles on Saturday night”.

Deirdre O’Kane Talks Funny is the latest entertainment show to be announced as RTÉ moves to brighten up its weekend schedule and give audiences more to laugh about this Autumn/Winter. As previously announced earlier this week, a brand new series of Amy Huberman’s Finding Joy will begin on Saturday October 10^th and The Den with Ray D’Arcy, Zig, Zag and Dustin is coming to Sunday nights from November.

Presented by Kathryn Thomas, the 14^th series Operation Transformation will return to RTÉ One television in January 2021.

The nationwide search for the five new Operation Transformation Leaders is on.  Are you ready for change?  Do you think you have what it takes to lead the nation into 2021? Then we want to hear from you.

Returning to set the health and wellness plan for the new leaders is fitness coach Karl Henry; principal clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy; dietitian Aoife Hearne and general practitioner Dr Sumi Dunne.

We can all agree that 2020 has been a year like no other.  Since the arrival of Covid-19 to Ireland at the end February, we are all still trying to find ways of getting and staying healthier in body and mind while living with restrictions.

Have you always struggled with your weight? Are you struggling more since the arrival Covid-19? Are those extra stones and pounds keeping you from leading the life you want? Do you want to make your bad habits a thing of the past?

If you are ready to make the change then apply now at www.rte.ie/ot or for more information email the casting team at optransrte@gmail.com.

In accordance with Government and HSE Covid-19 guidelines all production team and crew members are committed to personal safety for the duration of the production.  We will abide by all Government and HSE guidelines with regards to Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines throughout the production.