Over €1.3 million was spent on interior decoration at the Auberge de Castille since 2013, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in reply to a parliamentary question Wednesday.

PN MP Jason Azzopardi put forward the question to which Muscat detailed that the works consisted primarily of refurbishment works, which were needed in all departments that operate from Castille.

Nearly the same amount of over €1.2 million was invested in refurbishment works, in Castille, during the previous Nationalist administration. The aim of this investment was to give dignity to Auberge de Castille as the Prime Minister’s office, Muscat said.

Work done from 2013 onwards included painting and other such works in the offices and halls, electrical interventions to conform to modern standards, change in furniture, works on the office doors, skirting, parquet floorings, gypsum works, polishing of floors, work on the windows of the offices and halls, changing of curtains, works on CCTV and works in the kitchens and restrooms.

Over the last six years, the Auberge the Castille has hosted a number of events related to CHOGM, the Valletta Summit in 2015, and the Maltese EU presidency in 2017, apart from 50 visits from foreign heads of state.

In January 2014 there was also a fire in the reception area of Castille.