Taxpayer funds former OPW boss’s Paris study trips before retirement

The former chairman of the Office of Public Works, Maurice Buckley, attended an executive course at a prestigious business school in Paris, costing over €35,000, just months before his retirement. This course spanned 18 days and was conducted over three separate visits between 2022 and 2023. The financial burden was shared between the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the Office of Public Works, covering not only the course fees but also Buckley’s flights and other expenses. Buckley’s tenure as chairman ended on April 19, 2023, raising questions about the appropriateness of such expenditures so close to retirement. The OPW justified the costs by stating that the investment would yield value for money, suggesting that the skills and knowledge gained from the course could benefit the agency in the long run. However, the timing of these expenses has sparked public scrutiny regarding the use of taxpayer funds. The decision to fund Buckley’s study trips has led to discussions about accountability and transparency in government spending. Critics argue that such expenditures should be closely monitored, especially when they involve significant amounts of taxpayer money. The OPW’s approval of the Leinster House bicycle shelter, which cost €336,000, further complicates the narrative surrounding Buckley’s financial decisions during his leadership. As the public continues to evaluate the implications of these expenditures, the case serves as a reminder of the need for stringent oversight in public sector spending, particularly in the context of executive benefits and training programs.