Below are the changes to the Cabinet and departments announced by Taoiseach Brian Cowen today.
Tony Killeen appointed Minister for Defence
Pat Carey appointed to the renamed Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs
Mary Coughlan remains as Tánaiste and moves from Enterprise Trade and Employment to the renamed Education and Skills
Batt O'Keefe moves from Education to the renamed Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
Eamon O'Cuív moves from Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs to the renamed Social Protection portfolio
Mary Hanafin moves from Social and Family Affairs to Arts, Sports and Tourism
John Curran has been appointed Chief Whip
Fianna Fáil TD Sean Connick appointed as Minister for State
Green TD Mary White appointed as Minister for State
Green TD Ciarán Cuffe appointed as Minister for State
Changes to departments:
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is being renamed the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
It will also take on responsibility for funding research funding programmes in third level institutions.
- Department of Education and Science is being renamed the Department of Education and Skills
It will take on responsibility for skills and training policy and also the training activities of Fás.
- Department of Social and Family Affairs is being renamed the Department of Social Protection
Responsibility for employment services of Fás is being transferred to this department. It will also take on responsibility for operation of the Rural Social Scheme.
- Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is being renamed the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs
It will take on responsibility for social inclusion policy and family policy from Department of Social and Family Affairs and for equality, disability, integration and human rights from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
- Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is being renamed the Department of Tourism, Culture & Sport
It will take on responsibility for ensuring that the creative industries play their full part in the vital task of economic renewal. Responsibility for the horse and greyhound racing industries will be transferred to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food