Damien English appointed Junior Minister

Meath West’s Deputy Damien English has been named a Minister of State by Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
He has been appointed junior minister serving two departments - Education and Enterprise and Jobs, where he will be linking the area of skills and training across both ministries.
This afternoon, Deputy English said he was delighted with the appointment, saying the issue of job skills and getting people back to work is one that is of huge importance at present.
He already has considerable experience in the sphere, having been chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and previously, Fine Gael spokesperson on education. He will be working with ministers Richard Bruton and Jan O’Sullivan.
Deputy English’s name was first mooted for a junior ministry following the passing of Meath East Dail deputy and Minister of the State at the Department of Agriculture, Shane McEntee, in December 2012. Tipperary TD Tom Hayes was appointed to the junior ranks of government then.