2 weeks Ago By Emma Kilcawley Hemani
THE Government has been accused of flushing money away — after spending €825,000 of taxpayers’ cash on a toilet block refurb. The Department of Foreign Affairs spent the money on an Office of Public Works-led project to refurbish the loos and changing facilities at their HQ, new figures reveal. The Department said the project had involved multiple strands including the fixing of a leaky roof, replacement of an extractor fan, as well as the main works on loos and showers for staff and visitors.
The final construction cost was €825,325, which was paid initially by the OPW and then reimbursed to them by the Department. The large bill is likely to reignite debate over the excessive cost of projects in the public sector. Controversy over a €336,000 bike shed and a €1.
4million security hut at Leinster House have already become a lightning rod topic ahead of the General Election. And Labour public expenditure spokesperson Ged Nash told The Irish Sun on Sunday: “This has the hallmarks of public money being flushed down the toilet.” The Department of Foreign Affairs’ ‘Provision of Welfare and Changing Facilities’ project at Iveagh House in Dublin was completed late last year.
However, officials said the works had ultimately involved more than a simple refurb of the building’s bogs and showers. They said there had also been leaks to a roof at the historic St Stephen’s Green property, which had been rectified as part of the deal. An extractor fan system, including ducting, for the catering kitchen was included as well.
Officials also revealed there was an upgrade of conference facility toilets at the front of Iveagh House, for men and women, and to ensure universal accessibility. This, the Department said, would support events at their HQ with more than 14,000 people visiting last year for meetings, conferences, and other occasions. The contract also included the upgrade of staff toilets at the rear of Iveagh House to make them compliant with building regulations around accessibility.
In addition, there were renovation works to provide changing room and shower facilities for “active transport users” who cycled, ran, or walked to work. The Department spokeswoman said: “The construction cost was €825,325 (including VAT). The OPW carried out the tender process for the appointment of the contractor, evaluated the submissions, awarded the contract, and processed the payments to the contractor.
“The Department reimbursed OPW for these payments.” An information note on the project said any work at Iveagh House, which is a a protected structure, had to be conducted in a way that does not “affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure”. It said all works were carefully done in the OPW’s care.
The €825,000 cost was paid across a series of invoices last year. But Labour rep Nash told us: “The cost does seem to be on the high side, even for an important, protected State-owned building such as Iveagh House. “It would be interesting to see the initial cost plan and a bill of quantities to see how this project was managed and how hard a bargain was driven by officials responsible for the project, and if there is any evidence of this.
” The Louth TD added: “€825,000 is an eye-watering sum of money. Did the Tanaiste or others question the level of spending? If they didn’t, then why? “Every department needs to show responsibility when dealing with the public’s money. Money management should be a priority for all governments.
Labour is making the case in this election for a culture change on waste, new rules on how our money is spent and on how accountability is done in this country.” Iveagh House itself comprises two historic properties overlooking St Stephen’s Green. They were gifted to the State by the Guinness family in 1939 and became a base for what was then known as the Department of External Affairs.
At the time, the house had 26 reception rooms, including a ballroom, as well as 50 bedrooms in the main house and an adjoining wi.
