A review is to be carried out into why it cost €336,000 to build a shelter for 18 bikes at Leinster House in Dublin.
Kieran O’Donnell, Minister of State with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has asked officials to carry out an immediate probe into the cost of building the structure.
It comes after it emerged that €336,000 was spent on building the bike shelter, which is for use by TDs, staff and visitors.
The Office for Public Works (OPW) said €322,282 was spent on the main construction and installation project, while a further €2,952 was paid for archaeological services.
Another €10,816 was spent on quantity surveying services and “contract administration services”.
On Monday, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan both said the public should get value for money.
Mr Harris said: “I’ve no knowledge or information about the bike shed, but I think it’s very important that public money is very carefully spent”.
Mr Ryan also said he believed the cost of the shelter seemed to be “incredibly expensive”.
“I look forward to listening to the OPW and talking to the OPW as to why it was so expensive,” he said.
The OPW said the shelter required archaeological advice to ensure it fitted in at the parliamentary complex.
It added that a high-quality structure was needed because of its sensitive location. It also said that it “recognises the importance of ensuring that public money is spent transparently”.
The bike shed involved “several unique challenges”, the OPW said, and it was stipulated in the planning application that it was to have no material impact on “the historic fabric of Leinster House”.
The structure consists of a steel-framed, glazed canopy to ensure long-term durability, the OPW said.
“The materials used, including Irish granite, glass and steel, were carefully selected not only for their durability, but also for their compatibility with the historic setting of our national parliament.”
