Cardiff successor hunt cost €85,000

The recruitment process for the post of secretary general at the Department of Finance cost €85,000 — with the post finally going to an internal candidate.

The post was advertised in October after Kevin Cardiff announced he was leaving the role to become Ireland’s representative at the European Court of Auditors.

Figures released following a Freedom of Information request by TV3 show that, so far, €75,000 has been spent on recruiting his replacement. The job advertisement cost €10,000 while a further €65,000 was spent on two “executive search” firms tasked with identifying the best candidates for the role internally, nationally, and internationally.