The Finance Minister says one of the reasons for a big increase in the maintenance budget for Government Buildings is the replacement of carpets because of health and safety concerns.

Last year just under four-hundred-thousand euro was spent on maintenance - but the budget for this year is estimated to be 1.4 million.

Upgrading the phone system from analogue to digital as well as re-plastering works are some of the reasons for the increase.

But Michael Noonan says carpet replacement is also required: