The HSE gave an adoption agency €200,000 this year despite being told in a report that the agency had misreported HSE grant money in financial statements between 2007 and 2010.

Cork has traditionally been home to offices of each of the big four accountancy firms, plus many medium and small practices, and now boasts shared service centres for large multinationals and outsourcing firms.

Despite lavish spending during the boom, an internal audit by the country’s health and safety watchdog has concluded the taxpayer-funded agency did not abuse credit cards by splashing out at five-star international hotels and Michelin restaurants.