The building of a bicycle shed at University Hospital Kerry (UHK), which cost €127,000, is a "pure waste" and another slap in the face to families who are at breaking point, the Dáil has heard.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty described the shed as a pure waste and accused the Government of being serial wasters.
This is coming at a time when patients are being treated on trolleys and there is a recruitment embargo in parts of the health service, he said.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Mr Doherty outlined that there were far cheaper options, including the building of a shed for €7,000.
Watch: Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty criticises Government over bike shelter spend
"If this was satire, it would be unbelievable," he said.
This revelation, first reported in The Kerryman newspaper, comes in the aftermath of the €336,000 spend on a bicycle shelter at Leinster House in Dublin.
"Another day, another bike shed scandal," he said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee defended the UHK project, saying that it went through proper guidelines and it was decided that it was needed.
She told the Dáil that the Government was investing in active travel and wanted to encourage people to cycle to work.
The minister said that nobody agreed with the amount spent on the shelter at Leinster House and that the Office of Public Works has introduced changes to ensure it could not happen again.
She added that all government departments must ensure that money is spent where it is needed.
Ms McEntee said there are large scale projects now coming in on time and on budget and told the Dáil that the Government is determined that every cent goes directly to those who need it.
Value-for-money checks on shed project - HSE
The Health Service Executive said the shed was delivered in line with requirements, including value-for-money checks.
The project was jointly funded by the HSE's National Green Team and the National Transport Authority.
Tthe shed "forms part of a broader programme to improve staff and visitor facilities while supporting national commitments on sustainability and active travel across the health service," a HSE statement said.
"Investment in secure cycling infrastructure supports staff in making more sustainable travel choices, aligns with Sláintecare and Climate Action commitments, and contributes to reducing congestion and demand on limited hospital parking," the statement added.
Earlier, the Public Accounts Committee said that it would to write to the HSE over the cost of the project.
Chairperson John Brady, of Sinn Féin, said it is "an extravagant building" which has left him "shocked and horrified", especially given so many people are being "hammered" with rising costs.
The committee agreed to write to the HSE to find out, in Deputy Brady's words, "why that money was wasted".
He said members wanted to know if cheaper options were considered, and if so, why none was chosen.
Labour reiterates call for mini-budget
The Labour Party has reiterated its call for a mini-budget for PAYE workers.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Spokesperson on Finance Ged Nash claimed the Government had "caved into sectoral interests and shelled out 750 million euro to buy their silence for a few weeks" in reference to to the recent fuel protests.
"There was nothing for PAYE workers and they know it," he added.
Mr Nash said workers faced a number of challenges, including high grocery prices, "the highest electricity prices in Europe ahead of a harsh winter" and had to witness "a sham fight on college fees this week", in reference to initial criticism from Fine Gael's Maeve O'Connell of Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless for not committing to a cut in college fees this autumn.
Responding, Ms McEntee said: "We can all see the challenges people are facing with money."
She said the Government has committed to making changes to income tax brackets, which she said would benefit ordinary workers.
The coalition will also look to reduce childcare costs, the minister said, and it is able to provide supports due to the budget surplus that it has developed.
