The Department of Public Works was a department within the Galactic Empire since at least its inception in 19 BBY. Although it technically was supposed to manage various public works such as development of roads, funds that were earmarked for the department were instead funneled, as with the Department of System Exploration, to the development of both the first Death Star and the superdreadnought Eye of Palpatine under the orders of Emperor Palpatine himself.