The internal audit said there were no properly documented procedures for the scheme, while funding intended for one project ended up being spent on another.

The project at the Workplace Relations Commission was originally expected to cost around €200,000

In an opening statement given to members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on Tuesday, OPW officials argued that the cost was higher than forecast because of the emergency nature of the pilot programme.

Paschal Donohoe said while he was not involved in the decision and did not approve the spending, he ‘accepts responsibility’ as a finance minister

The latest figures show the OPW paid out €809,000 for security systems at the private residences of eleven individuals in the first six months of this year

The Office for Public Works has also come under recent scrutiny for spending €336,000 on a glass-covered bike shelter

The total bill for the covered shelter was €336,000.

Almost 40 attractions feature on the list

The OPW minister is in the county today to meet with locals and the council about Lough Funshinagh.

A series of reports from the Office of Public Works (OPW) detail how the Áras was forced to call in exterminators on an almost monthly basis over the past year.