Can you believe the OPW just spent €490,000 on a wall? 🤯 Discover the drama behind this costly construction blunder!
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has once again found itself in the hot seat after revealing that it spent a staggering €490,000 replacing a 70-metre perimeter wall in Ballsbridge, Dublin. This pricey project comes on the heels of other questionable expenditures, including a lavish bike shelter and a security hut outside Leinster House, raising eyebrows and eroding public trust in the agency. Local Social Democrats TD, Gary Gannon, wasted no time in expressing concerns over the lack of oversight and transparency surrounding the OPW's spending decisions.
The final price tag for the wall isn’t just shocking; it is downright baffling. Initial plans for the wall replacement were thrown off course after the discovery of a live ESB cable and a leaking pipe beneath the original structure. These unforeseen hiccups not only delayed the project by two years but ultimately resulted in a ballooning budget that has left many questioning the OPW’s financial accountability.
While the OPW assures the public that safety is its top priority, the figures speak volumes about a perceived pattern of extravagant spending and mismanagement. The amusing monikers of 'Office of Posh Walls' and 'Wall Street' have popped up in public discussions, suggesting that there is a growing sentiment that the OPW needs to get its priorities straight when it comes to taxpayer money.
In the face of mounting criticism, OPW officials have been tasked with justifying their financial decisions and restoring public confidence. As the dust settles on this expensive venture, the OPW may find itself needing to invest not just in concrete and bricks, but also in a fresh approach to transparency and budget oversight.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time Dublin's infrastructure has come under scrutiny. Notably, prior overspends by the OPW on various projects have led to contentious debates in the Dáil. And speaking of construction blunders, did you know that the Eiffel Tower was originally received with skepticism, with many believing it was a waste of materials? It's a humbling reminder that even monumental projects can spark discourse about spending effectiveness!
SOCIAL DEMOCRATS TD Gary Gannon has said the public's trust in the Office of Public Works (OPW) has been “eroded” by a lack of oversight in the body. It was ...
It follows huge spending on a bike shelter outside Leinster House and a security hut outside the Department of Finance.
An OPW project to replace an unsafe, 70-metre perimeter wall around a Government office ended up costing more than €490000.
First, it was a bike shelter, then a security hut, and now a wall.The Office of Public Works is coming under fire again after it emerged it spent almost ...
The Office of Public Works (OPW) reportedly spent €490000 on replacing an “unsafe” 70m wall outside the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Lansdowne ...
A live ESB cable and a leaking pipe discovered under the perimeter wall during preliminary works meant long delays and unforeseen costs, meaning that around € ...
The discovery of a high voltage live ESB cable and a leaking pipe during preliminary works led to a delay of two years.
Kieran McCarthy, Engineer, house builder with KMC homes and co-presenter of Cheap Irish Homes and Peadar Tóibín TD, Leader of Aontú.
An OPW project to replace a 70-metre perimeter wall at the Workplace Relations Commission for €490000 has been described as "astonishing" by Social ...