Heather Humphreys has been appointed as Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. The full ministry for rural affairs mooted in discussions with independent TDs turns out to be added on to Humphreys' existing portfolio.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny gave some details on the role of the beefed-up Department in the Dáil on Friday: "This will retain all of the functions of the former Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It will also be assigned responsibility for the rollout of rural broadband and for the development of the post office network," he said.

The much-awaited rollout of broadband to rural areas, which falls under the remit of the Minister for Communications, is included in the programme for government, with a commitment to connect 85% of premises to a high-speed service within two years.

There will be an action plan for rural development and a dedicated Cabinet committee on regional and rural affairs

Kenny added that the new Department would be responsible for the troubled LEADER programme, an expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Tidy Towns scheme, the Western Development Commission, the implementation of the report of the Commission on the Economic Development of Rural Areas, the dormant accounts fund and social enterprise.

"There will be an action plan for rural development and a dedicated Cabinet committee on regional and rural affairs, which I will also chair. This will provide for effective monitoring of delivery and clear co-ordination across all policy areas that affect rural Ireland," An Taoiseach added.

Former Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has been appointed to Housing, Planning and Local Government, while Denis Naughten has been appointed to the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will fulfil the defence role, which has been separated from agriculture. Paul Kehoe becomes Junior Minister for Defence and will sit at cabinet meetings in a super junior capacity.

Read the full list of cabinet nominations below:

Department of Social Protection to:

Leo Varadkar

Department of Finance to:

Michael Noonan

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to:

Paschal Donohoe

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to:

Mary Mitchell O’Connor

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to:

Michael Creed

Department of Justice and Equality to:

Frances Fitzgerald

Department of Children and Youth Affairs to:

Katherine Zappone

Department of Health to:

Simon Harris

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to:

Charles Flanagan

Department of Education and Skills to:

Richard Bruton

Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to:

Simon Coveney

Department of Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources to:

Denis Naughten

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to:

Shane Ross

Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts & the Gaeltacht to:

 

 

 

Heather Humphreys

Department of Defence to:

Taoiseach Enda Kenny& Deputy Paul Kehoe as Minister of State, attending Government as Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence with Special Responsibility for Defence.

 

Pat O'Toole contributed reporting for this story

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