Mayo's Dara Calleary appointed to lead coveted department
Long-serving Mayo TD Dara Calleary has been appointed to the cabinet of the new government.
The Ballina-based representative will lead the department previously held by Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.
Social Protection and Rural Affairs is a much sought after department within Leinster House due to the number of community grants available for the Minister to help local organisations within their own constituency and futher afield.
Calleary was first elected to Dáil Eireann in 2007 and in November after his election spoke of his desire to lead a department in his own right.
Previously, the Ballina politician was a Super-junior and was tipped by many to stay at that rank. He also served for a short period as Minister for Agriculture.
The news is a major boost to Mayo and his home town, in particular.
It is also an endorsement of his hard work and commitment at many levels over the years.
Other notable changes from the previous government includes Darragh O'Brien moving to the Department of Transport, while Wexford's James Browne will head up Housing.
Helen McEntee has moved to Education with Jim O'Callaghan taking the reigns at the Justice Department.
The full list of ministers is:
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence - Simon Harris
Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation - Jack Chambers
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration - Jim O'Callaghan
Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht - Dara Calleary
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage - James Browne
Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport - Darragh O'Brien
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - James Lawless
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality - Norma Foley
Minister for Finance - Paschal Donohoe
Minister for Health - Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Minister for Education and Youth - Helen McEntee
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine - Martin Heydon
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment - Peter Burke
Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport - Patrick O'Donovan
Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler has also been appointed to the Government chief whip role as well as responsibility for mental health.
Senior counsel Rossa Fanning has been re-appointed as Attorney General.
The super junior and junior ministry roles are yet to be announced