Taoiseach’s department bought 30 armchairs for €9k

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has defended details of his office’s €17m spend last year which includes funds spent on everything from presents for visiting dignitaries to toilet cleaner.

Mr Kenny’s spokesman said the department’s spend was down 13% compared to the previous year.

The €17.6m included large bills paid out for the staging of US President Barack Obama’s address at College Green in Dublin (€558,934), 30 armchairs for a department room (€8,929) and a carpet for another government room (€9,377).

The year’s spend also includes invoices paid out for pest control, the cleaning of windows and plaques,and even the cost of food and refreshments for cabinet meetings.

Details of the department’s costs emerged in newspaper reports yesterday with the opposition questioning if Mr Kenny’s office was getting the best value for money.

Mr Kenny appeared before an Oireachtas committee last week and said spending in his department would be kept to a minimum on preparations for occasions such as Ireland’s hosting of the EU presidency next year.

Costs footed by taxpayers last year include the rental of a water cooler (€334), new cables for a vacuum cleaner (€173), white hand towels (€431), letter openers (€469), and glass collection fees (€158).

The invoices paid by Mr Kenny’s department include one box of Ocean Toilet Duck (€36.91), damage from bleach to worker’s clothes (€48), rodent control measures (€884), and a dust control floor mat (€30.25).

State occasions warranted bigger outlays with the visit of Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife Charlene Wittstock costing €5,954, while the inauguration of President Michael D Higgins cost €65,856.

Mr Kenny’s spokesman said: “We’re very conscious of making savings. They will continue to be made where they can be made. It’s worth noting there were also three state visits last year also.”