The following changes in departments and ministerial responsibilities have been announced:
- The Department of Social and Family Affairs will become the Department of Social Protection. It will lose its family policy and social inclusion brief, but will gain the employment and community services sections of FÁS. It is intended to transfer the Rural Social Scheme to this Department, as well as responsibility for the payment of redundancy and insolvency payments at a later date
- The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be renamed the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and will become responsible for funding for the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions.
- The Department of Education and Science will become the Department of Education and Skills. It will also be given responsibility for the training activities of FÁS and the work of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.
- The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will become the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and will have additional responsibility for social inclusion and family policy, equality, disability, integration and human rights.
- The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism will become the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
- The Government also intends to appoint a Public Service Board, which will include members from outside the public service with appropriate experience and skills.
These changes may impact upon the information contained in the Border People website. The necessary amendments will be made once further information has been made available.
