Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the terms of a lease held at public expense on a premises associated very closely with the 1916 Rising, Carrisbrook House, Ballsbridge, Dublin; his views on whether there is any possible link between the deal obtained by the developers of this property from ANCO / the Department of Industry and Commerce in 1969 and the activities of an organisation, Taca; if he will publish a schedule of all leases entered into by public bodies, statutory agencies under the aegis of his Department between 1963 and 1973 where such leases remain in force today; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14559/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Carrisbrook House was acquired by AnCO in 1969 on a 65 year full-repairing lease, commencing on 1st August 1969 and expiring on 31st July 2034. There is no provision for lease breaks on the property and the rent is due for review every seven years.

The Industrial Development Authority acquired the lease from AnCo on 20th October 1976. On 1st January 1994, the leasehold interest transferred to Forfás.

The Industrial Development Authority occupied Carrisbrook House from 1976 until 1985, when the agency relocated to Wilton Park House. I understand that the Youth Employment Agency occupied three floors of Carrisbrook House between 1986 and 1989.

Since 1985, the available offices were sub-let to a number of tenants outside the public sector on a continuous basis until early 2008 when a major tenant exercised a break clause in its sublease and vacated the building. The Israeli Embassy is currently the only occupant of the premises, on a sub-lease which expires in 2025.

Forfás has been actively seeking to market the vacant space in Carrisbrook House since 2008. The Office of Public Works and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have also been advised, through my Department and Forfás, of the availability of vacant space in the building. The IDA has also been asked to bring the availability of the accommodation to the attention of prospective clients.

In current market conditions, and despite a number of engagements with potential tenants by Forfas, a letting has not been secured.

AnCo (An Chomhairle Oiliúna) was established in 1967 as an agency of the Department of Labour and was subsequently subsumed into FÁS in 1988. The Board of FÁS is currently appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills. I am not aware of any further details relating to the original lease on Carrisbrook House other than those I have outlined above.

I will write to the Deputy separately with details of leases entered into by Offices or agencies of my Department between 1963 and 1973 which remain in force today.