Figures released by the Office of Public Works reveal that it spent in excess of €200,000 on renovating and fitting out a new Dáil office for former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Mr Ahern had to vacate his previous office in Government Buildings when he stepped down as leader last May.
The OPW has defended the cost, saying it was the current market rate.
The OPW selected one of its buildings outside the confines of Leinster House to accommodate the former Fianna Fáil leader.
The space needed renovation and cleaning, and according to figures obtained by RTÉ News, the OPW spent approximately €220,000 to do this and to fit it out with furniture. The work took around three weeks to complete.
The figure does not include the cost of providing extra security measures.
The suite consists of an office for Deputy Ahern, one for his staff, a bathroom, a waiting room and a storage area.
A spokesman for the OPW said the figure could not be regarded as excessive.
He also said the space was used in similar circumstances in the past by other former Taoisigh Albert Reynolds and John Bruton after they stood down as leader.
