MORE than €750,000 has been spent on security at the homes of the country's leading politicians, it has emerged.

The money was paid by the Office of Public Works for high-tech alarm systems, intruder lighting and security huts.

The information was released publicly only after the information commissioner ruled the costs were in the public interest.

However, details of what properties and which politicians are involved have been excluded from the figures released.

More than €137,000 was spent at the home of Politician A for six security-related contracts.

The security risk for Politician B was obviously considered lower as only €15,600 was spent at that property, the Office of Public Works said.

The largest expenditure was at the home of Politician F, where €285,735 was spent on sophisticated security equipment.

A considerable sum was also spent at the home of Politician C, with the bill coming in at €248,573.

Least at risk was Politician E, where two jobs were carried out at a cost of just €3,335.

In all, the Office of Public Works paid €765,494 at the six properties, according to the figures obtained by the campaigning website thestory.ie.

It is understood the largest expenditure related to the installation of security stations outside the homes of Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his predecessor Bertie Ahern.

The homes of both men, in Dublin and Offaly, have discreet green huts, where gardaí can shelter while on protection duty.

Other politicians whose homes have needed enhanced security include the former minister for justice Michael McDowell and current minister Dermot Ahern.

The Office of Public Works had initially refused to give any details of the sum spent on security at politicians' properties.

It again declined to release any records on appeal and it was only following a ruling by the information commissioner that the costs became public.

Security for politicians has become an issue in recent months after a series of serious incidents. In the most high-profile incident, health minister Mary Harney was smeared with red paint at an engagement in Dublin.

Enhanced policing is now in place at all ministerial events, with local garda stations routinely informed when a senior politician is visiting.

Gardaí say the ministerial car service also operates as an important security precaution and is unlikely to be curtailed.

Senior officers have recommended that the current system be maintained and that no steps should be taken which might weaken security.

The officers who drive the cars are armed detectives and effectively double as ministerial bodyguards.

Senior gardaí also want cars maintained for former taoisigh, believing they too could fall victim to public anger at politicians.

One senior officer said: "The fact is that the most well-known government figures need protection now more than ever. Protests have become very frequent and tempers are often running high.

"If there was an incident where a politician was physically harm­ed, it would be the gardaí that would end up taking the blame."