OFFICIALS AT THE Department of Public Expenditure spotted the typo in the new sign displayed on Merrion Street and requested it be corrected over a month before it was installed in front of the department headquarters.

The sign was installed at the start of October during Storm Amy, but some weeks later, it emerged that the sign read “Department of Public Expenditure, Infastructure [sic], Public Service Reform and Digitalisation”, incorrectly spelling the word ‘infrastructure’.

Records released to The Journal under Freedom of Information show that officials had spotted a typo back in August when the company contracted for the installation sent proposed designs for final approval.

“I’ve already spotted a typo – Infrastructure is misspelled throughout,” the official informed colleagues before the sign was later approved pending the correction of the typo from the manufacturer.

A second proof was sent by the supplier with the typo corrected and this was approved by the Department.

However, the sign that was supplied included a different typo from the one spotted by Department officials.

A proof received by the Department containing a different typo to the one that was eventually included on the sign. Screenshot Screenshot

Following media reports of the typo in the purchased sign, an email was sent calling for an urgent meeting after the Minister “raised a number of issues”.

Officials scrambled for an “urgent detailed update from the supplier on how the error arose, when it will be fixed and any cost implications”, adding that they hoped the cost of replacing the sign would fall on the supplier.

Details on how much the sign cost were also urgently requested, “as we will be asked for that” officials added.

Records show that the supply and installation of the signs cost €8,460 plus VAT.

Initially, a plastic cover was placed over the incorrect sign, however, this was later removed following a suggestion from the Office of Public Works that “it was drawing more attention to have the signs covered.”

When contacted by the Department about the error, the supplier apologised, confirmed that they had made the error and agreed to replace it at no extra cost.

While proofing the amended sign, officials requested to “double check the spelling in English and Irish (before we get it made in metal)”.

“I’ve looked at these so much I’ve gone blind to them,” a department staffer responded before approving the corrected design.

The supplier later installed the correct sign outside the Department.

—

Conor O’Carroll is an investigative reporter with The Journal Investigates.

Our investigative unit is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. This takes time and it takes resources. Find out how you can help: