Seamus McCarthy
Seamus McCarthy is the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of Ireland, responsible for auditing the public finances of the country. He has recently been in the news for highlighting issues concerning the financial management of Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), particularly regarding the settlement agreement that allowed former chief executive Eilish Hardiman to maintain her salary in a new role within the organization.
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Recent news mentions
Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, highlighted the financial liabilities of the OPW regarding the science centre project.
Flood defence funding may have to be cut to pay for children’s science centre, OPW warns – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-02-13
Seamus McCarthy informed the Dáil Public Accounts Committee about unspent funding for flood forecasting.
Weather warnings in place for 18 counties as Irish Rail suspends some services due to flooding – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-05
C&AG Seamus McCarthy said that, by 2024, 'the construction cost to be borne by the State stood at an estimated €70.4 million'.
Children’s science museum project described as ‘absolute shambles’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-27
Seamus McCarthy told the Dáil Public Accounts Committee that the vast bulk of this money had been paid without the services provided to the hospital being subject to a public procurement process.
Dublin hospital paid €1.44m for services to company owned by staff – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-07Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy states that the net cost to Science Foundation Ireland arising from the termination of the former director general’s employment was €409,000.
Philip Nolan got €200,000 payout in legal row that left science agency with €901,000 bill – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-09
Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, provided details regarding compensation and legal costs incurred by Tusla.
Dáil committee to scrutinise how Tusla has spent millions on ‘complex litigation’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-14
Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, conducted a review that found significant issues with pension deductions.
Department of Public Expenditure faces ‘embarrassing’ €700,000 Revenue bill after payroll errors – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-11
Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, reviewed cases and found discrepancies in pension deductions.
Payroll errors leave Department of Public Expenditure facing ‘embarrassing’ €700,000 Revenue bill – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-10Séamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, reported on the lack of oversight in the guardian system.
Unregulated court guardian service cost €21m last year – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-27
Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, addressed the committee regarding the Arts Council funding.
Arts Council has begun ‘legal proceedings’ against contractors over botched €6.7m IT project, PAC told – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-29
Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, discussed the high volume of claims from the contractor.
Numbers working on children’s hospital project dropped by third since January, politicians hear – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-22
Seamus McCarthy, Comptroller and Auditor General, will appear before the Public Accounts Committee to update politicians on the project.
Completion delayed until at least September – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-17Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy drew attention to a settlement agreement at CHI.
Former Children’s Health Ireland boss kept salary of almost €184k in new role – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-15