Costs of establishing the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

This is expenditure in relation to the newly created Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, obtained via an FOI request, but sent to me outside of FOI. The question was partly answered through a PQ in June. A story appears in today’s Sunday Times (page 4) by Mark Tighe and myself detailing the response of the Department. Included costs also related to Minister Howlin’s constituency office in Wexford. Among the items purchased:

New Furniture charges supply and delivery of filing cabinets EUR4,781.44
New Tea Station charge from OPW EUR7,638 incl. VAT
Plus EUR4,368 for Plumbing and Electrical Works incl. VAT
Shredder for Constituency office in Wexford. EUR592.9 euros incl.VAT
Fax machine for Constituency office in Wexford. EUR317.02 euros incl.VAT
Dictation Transcriber for Constituency office in Wexford. EUR675.18 euros incl.VAT
Photo Copier for Constituency Office in Wexford EUR3,015 plus VAT = EUR3,648.15
Key cut for Minister’s toilet EUR47.67 Euros incl. VAT.
T.V. in room 1.20 appox EUR289.95 (Invoice not in as yet).
Power points/TV brackets in room 1.20 EUR84 euros plus VAT = EUR95.34
Room 1.23 install two TV Units EUR42 euros plus VAT = EUR47.67
Room 1.19 Hang notice board EUR21 euros plus VAT = EUR23.84
Room 1.19 install digi lock on door EUR204.55 plus VAT = EUR232.16
Room 1.23 Install digi lock on door EUR204.55 plus VAT = EUR232.16
IPhone for Minister Howlin EUR359.37
Sign for Minister’s toilet incl. VAT EUR47.67 Euros.
Hang three notice boards for staff member EUR42 euros plus VAT = EUR47.67.
Elevate desk in room 1.24 EUR84 euros plus VAT = EUR95.34.
Painting and Carpet for Room 1.14 EUR1,367 plus VAT EUR1,551.54
Mobile Galaxy for Special Adviser EUR99.27
Mobile Galaxy for Special Adviser EUR99.27
Mobile for Private Secretary EUR99.27
Mobile Galaxy replacement phone for Special Adviser EUR99.27 (original lost).
6 Nameplates for new Department of PER EUR1,891 plus VAT =2,288.11.


5 thoughts on “Costs of establishing the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform”

  1. “New Tea Station charge from OPW EUR7,638 incl. VAT”

    but they bought a kettle and an expresso machine ? why not just a table to put them on.. these people are still in La La land spending all our borrowed money

  2. do these people not realise that families are losing their homes and the rest are struggling to try and keep them,my blood is BOILING!!!!what have people to do to get a decent govn.in this country?

  3. On the tea station charge, it’s possible that refers to some building work that was required to add in a sink/power/kitchen units/ to an area of office space. It’s still on the expensive end of the scale, but that might explain the cost.

    Surprised not to see figures for computers/ rent / insurance, but maybe some other part of government pays for all that.

  4. @hume it was 7638 for the tea station and then another 4368 for the plumber & electrician just over 12,000 to make a cup of tea or coffee

Comments are closed.