Irish diplomats decorated their homes abroad with €6,000 rugs and €5,000 paintings while more than 10,000 are homeless in Ireland.
The Irish Mirror can reveal some of the lavish spending at the Department of Foreign Affairs over the past 18 months.
Other outlays also include a brass bust of a former ambassador which cost the taxpayer €5,000, candlesticks at €350 each, €288 glass bowls, decorative ceramic plates at €880 for four and a €750 oak platter.
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has slammed the spending.
She said it is unacceptable while a housing crisis still rages at home.
Mrs Murphy said: “While it’s important for our diplomatic missions overseas to support and showcase Irish artists and craftspeople, this doesn’t mean there should be a blank cheque when it comes to spending public money.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs needs to show some restraint.
“It’s hard to see how splashing €6,000 on one rug and €5,000 on a single painting can be justified at a time when 10,000 people are homeless and living in emergency accommodation.
“There should definitely be upper limits put on the amounts that can be spent on items like soft furnishings, arts and crafts for diplomatic missions – and proper oversight of this kind of spending in the public interest.”
The Irish Mirror found out about the art splurge through a Freedom of Information request, which shows more than €40,000 has been spent on the pieces this year and 2018.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “Irish missions abroad provide a platform for the promotion of Ireland’s trade and economic interests and cultural heritage, while also serving as showcases for Irish arts, crafts and products.
“Irish artists are renowned globally for their artistic excellence. Promotion of Ireland’s culture, arts and creative industries through our mission network is a key element of our strategy.”
