Gardaí are treating the appearance of a sign at an Intreo centre in Cork city as a potential incitement to hatred incident.
The sign is similar to that used by German forces at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during World War II.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that an "extremely offensive" sign had been placed outside the building on Hannover Street earlier this week.
In a statement, it said the sign was removed immediately, and that the matter has been reported to gardaí.
The sign mocked the JobPath scheme, which Intreo runs for unemployed people on behalf of the department.
It contained the words "JobPath Macht Frei", adapted from the phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei", meaning "Work sets you free".
The infamous sign was placed above the main gates of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau by German forces during the war.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station on 021-452200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Information can also be passed to the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit on 01-6663150 or at diversity@garda.ie.
