Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The current lease, which was 35 years plus two extensions, with the OPW on Merrion Square came to an end on 30 April 2017. The OPW was not prepared to enter into a long-term lease in the context of its own plans for the property. The sub-lease on the North Frederick Street premises where 15 staff from An Gúm are based will come to an end on 31 May 2017. Again, no extension to that lease is possible. Accordingly, and in accordance with section 5 of the financial memorandum, Foras na Gaeilge submitted a comprehensive business case to the two sponsoring Departments to bring the two offices together at a new headquarters on Amiens Street. Obviously, the Moore Street report does not specifically state that Foras na Gaeilge should be located there. That report is under consideration by Department officials. The lease is in the name of Foras na Gaeilge, not the OPW. As I said, it needs to vacate the existing premises. Obviously, Moore Street has some way to go before it would be available as a premises.