On 20 June, the Taoiseach appointed Mr. John Halligan T.D. and Mr. Pat Breen T.D. as Ministers of State with responsibility for policy areas under the remit of my Department.
On 26 July, the Government made orders for the delegation of Ministerial functions to Ministers Halligan and Breen at my request.
Minister Halligan has been delegated responsibility for Innovation, Research and Development (IRD), and will oversee implementation of the Government's national strategy in this area, Innovation 2020. He has been given responsibility for the delivery of IRD programmes across the agencies of my Department and the development of a successor to the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. He has also been delegated responsibility for sectoral research initiatives that my Department is involved in, Ireland's engagement with the EU's Framework Programme for Innovation and Research, Horizon 2020, and maintaining an Intellectual Property framework aimed at promoting and rewarding creativity, supporting innovative activity and improving the business environment.
Minister Breen has been assigned responsibility for Industrial Relations legislation, the industrial relations machinery of the State and for ensuring a renewed focus on Occupational Health and Safety matters and on Chemical Policy matters. He has also been delegated responsibility for the Digital Single Economy, Ireland's engagement with the International Labour Organisation and for a range of issues of relevance to business and Small and Medium Enterprises, including leading efforts to reduce the administrative burden on business.
