Irish Examiner view: We cannot afford to waste public funds

Government cannot plead an inability to provide more money to sectors where it is needed while overseeing needless overspend

In Cork, Abbeycourt House on George's Quay has cost the OPW €325,000 to rent so far this year. File picture: Larry Cummins

The amount of money being ploughed into rental properties across the country by the Office of Public Works (OPW) — estimated to have been €31m so far this year alone — has to be the subject of a value-for-money review.

The Government is under enormous pressure ahead of this year’s budget to rationalise spending and ensure State finances are not being squandered, with pressure being brought to bear for increased spending in areas such as the health, housing, infrastructure, and prison systems.