It’s an end of an era for RTE after it confirmed it is to outsource all of it’s young peoples TV programming to the independent sector amid a “challenging financial environment”.

It will see all TV programmes produced for young children and teenagers, including shows on RTE Junior, and Swipe TV, outsourced to independent production companies.

The decision will affect all staff on a freelance contract who will essentially need to reapply to the companies who take up the relevant programmes.

Kids programming on RTE2 and RTE Junior is currently sourced from a mix, animation, in-house and from external production companies.

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close IAN DEMPSEY, DJ AND FORMER PRESENTER OF 'DEMPEY'S DEN' WITH 'ZIG AND ZAG' ON RTE. ZIG AND ZAG ZIG AND ZAG / Facebook

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Whatsapp IAN DEMPSEY, DJ AND FORMER PRESENTER OF 'DEMPEY'S DEN' WITH 'ZIG AND ZAG' ON RTE.

The move will come into affect at the end of the year and it is hoped it will encourage the potential of more programmes made by Irish companies, particularly in the animation sector.

In a statement the broadcaster said: "Recognising the challenging financial environment, and so as to achieve stronger efficiencies and value for money, RTÉ is to make changes to how it produces young people’s programmes.

"After an examination of all output, a decision has been made to commission all young people’s programmes from the independent sector, enabling RTÉ to meet its statutory committed spend in the sector and reducing operating costs internally. RTÉ is not reducing its commitment to younger peoples programmes, nor it's spend."

A host of well known personalities have cut their teeth on RTE children programming down through the years including radio legend Ian Dempsey and singer and presenter Emma O’Driscoll.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Dustin the Turkey pictured in Belgrade Serbia smelling the Roses !!!!before returning after failing to get through to the Eurovision Final on Saturday.KOBPIX Irelands Dustin The Turkey during Dress Rehersals for the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade Serbia. KOBPIX Dustin The Turkey pictured with Latvian entry Pirates of the Sea at the welcome party in Belgrade Serbia for the Eurovision Song contest...Pic By Kyran O'Brien/KOBPIX Fairy godmother Twink is bitten by Dustin the Turkey in a scene from Cinderella at the Olympia on 26th December 2016 and also starred Soky. Photo: Tony Gavin B 29036 Zig and Zag Ray D'Arcy HELPING OUT DURING THE PEOPLE IN NEED TELETHON AT RTE STUDIOS YESTERDAY WAS BOY BAND WESTLIFE WITH RTE PRESENTERS DAMIEN MC CAUL, DUSTIN THE TURKEY AND SOKY. PIC STEVE HUMPHREYS. att DUSTIN S FINAL HOUR. Everybody s favourite turkey, Dustin, got together with RTE s Den 2 presenters Geri Maye and Damien McCaul together with Soki and Zuppy for a special photocall in the Den 2 studio where they donated their final hours wages of the millennium in support of the Childrens Hour Fund Raising Appeal. Photo; Fennells, Johnny Bambury. No reproduction fee. ...NEW IN....TWINK SHARES A JOKE WITH DUSTIN THE TURKEY AND SOKY AT A PHOTOCALL YESTERDAY IN DUBLIN CASTLE FOR THE OLYMPIA THEATRES CHRISTMAS PANTO, WHOS FOOT FITS THE GLASS SLIPPER, WHICH OPENS ON ST. STEPHENS DAY.....PIC MARTIN NOLAN Disney TV presenter Mary Kingston was surprised on Den 2 with the Friend of The Animals Award 2001 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Dustin the Turkey pictured in Belgrade Serbia smelling the Roses !!!!before returning after failing to get through to the Eurovision Final on Saturday.KOBPIX

A sad day. https://t.co/zsEYtVpYH3 — Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) November 23, 2016

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