The National Transport Authority (NTA) has been called on to account for a €500,000 rise in the cost of constructing 14 steps and a ramp at Deer Park in Mount Merrion, south Dublin, by Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.

Deputy Farrelly, a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), noted that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council delivered the project with active travel funding from the NTA and has asked the authority to supply the PAC with all internal correspondence with the local council related to the scheme.

Deputy Farrelly said: "While the eventual bill of €750,000 for the Deer Park project in Mount Merrion was already in the public domain, it has now come to light through a Freedom of Information request that this scheme was originally estimated to cost €200,000. It is incomprehensible that the steps and ramp should end up costing almost four times more than that figure.

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"Even though the project was developed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, active travel funding was provided by the NTA.

"The NTA must now explain why costs ballooned by half a million euro during the construction phase of this scheme.

"Were other alternatives considered – including a 'do nothing' option or a redesign of existing entrances to the park – and were consultants engaged to advise on this? Was a value for money report provided?

"Was there any oversight of this project and who signed off on such a huge increase on the initial estimate?

"As taxpayers' money is involved here, I have asked the NTA to provide PAC with all internal correspondence with the local authority relating to this project."