New government to have three extra junior ministers

Sources said the number of junior ministers is being increased in a bid to 'reflect the increased workload of government departments'. File Picture

The number of junior ministers in the next government will increase by three.

There are currently 20 junior ministers, who remain in place until Micheál Martin is elected as Taoiseach next week.

Sources said the number of junior ministers is being increased in a bid to "reflect the increased workload of government departments".

The programme for government commits to a Minister for the Marine who will work on both fisheries and coastal communities. This will be supplemented by a minister of state to oversee migration who would be based at the Department of Justice and a Minister for Older People who would be based between the departments of Health and Housing.

The expansion of junior ministries will require a change of legislation.

A Minister of State for Disabilities is set to be taken by Fine Gael as a super junior position, who would sit at Cabinet.

The full list of junior ministers will be announced the week after next.

On Wednesday, Michael Lowry confirmed that the Regional Independent Group would have a number of these positions. 

Galway West TD Noel Grealish and Galway East TD Seán Canney are set to land super junior minister roles.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin is due to take up a junior ministry at the Department of Higher Education, while Longford-Westmeath TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran will take up his junior ministry at the Office of Public Works.

Kerry's Michael Healy-Rae is reported to be taking up a role as the Minister of State for forestry at the Department of Agriculture.