Former titles of departments of state (Ireland)

This is a list of former titles of departments of state in Ireland. The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 established eleven departments of state. The titles of two of these were amended by an Act in 1928, and an Act in 1939 allowed further changes to the titles and responsibilities of departments to be made by order of the government. The titles and responsibilities of departments are often changed by the government. In many instances, the legal successor of a department is not one which currently holds responsibilities for some or any of the same areas. Further departments were established by later amendments to the Ministers and Secretaries Act. The process of renaming of departments and transfer of responsibilities are detailed on the page for each department.

The titles of the Departments of Finance, Defence and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have not changed since their establishment.

TitlePeriod usedImmediate legal successorCurrent departments with functionsAgricultureAgriculture and FisheriesAgriculture, Food and the Marine1977–1987Agriculture and FoodAgriculture, Food and the MarineAgriculture and Fisheries1965–1977AgricultureAgriculture, Food and the MarineAgriculture and Food1987–1993Agriculture, Food and ForestryAgriculture, Food and the Marine1997–1999Agriculture, Food and Rural DevelopmentAgriculture, Food and the MarineRural and Community Development2002–2007Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodAgriculture, Food and the MarineAgriculture, Fisheries and Food2007–2011Agriculture, Food and the MarineAgriculture, Food and the MarineRural and Community DevelopmentAgriculture, Food and Forestry1993–1997Agriculture and FoodAgriculture, Food and the MarineEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsAgriculture, Food and Rural Development1999–2002Agriculture and FoodAgriculture, Food and the MarineRural and Community DevelopmentArts, Culture and the Gaeltacht1993–1997Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the IslandsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaArts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht2011–2016Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaHousing, Local Government and HeritageArts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands1997–2002Community, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaRural and Community DevelopmentHousing, Local Government and HeritageArts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs2016–2017Culture, Heritage and the GaeltachtTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaRural and Community DevelopmentHousing, Local Government and HeritageArts, Sport and Tourism2002–2010Tourism, Culture and SportTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaBusiness, Enterprise and Innovation2017–2020Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentFurther and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and ScienceChildren and Youth Affairs2011–2020Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthChildren, Disability and EqualityChildren, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth2020–2025Children, Disability and EqualityChildren, Disability and EqualityJusticeCommunications1984–1991Lapsed in 1991Environment, Climate and CommunicationsTransportCommunications, Climate Action and Environment2016–2020Environment, Climate and CommunicationsEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsCommunications, Energy and Natural Resources2007–2016Communications, Climate Action and EnvironmentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsCommunications, Marine and Natural Resources2002–2007Communications, Energy and Natural ResourcesAgriculture, Food and the MarineEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsCommunity, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs2010–2011Children and Youth AffairsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaRural and Community DevelopmentCommunity, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs2002–2010Community, Equality and Gaeltacht AffairsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaJustice and EqualityRural and Community DevelopmentCulture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht2017–2020Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaHousing, Local Government and HeritageEconomic Planning and Development1977–1980EnergyFinanceEducation1924–1997Education and ScienceEducationEducation and Science1997–2010Education and SkillsEducationEducation and Skills2010–2020EducationEducationEmployment Affairs and Social Protection2017–2020Social ProtectionSocial ProtectionEnergy1980–1981Industry and EnergyEnvironment, Climate and Communications1983–1993Tourism and TradeEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsEnterprise and Employment1993–1997Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentSocial ProtectionEnterprise, Trade and Employment1997–2010Enterprise, Trade and InnovationEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentSocial ProtectionForeign AffairsEnterprise, Trade and Innovation2010–2011Jobs, Enterprise and InnovationEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentSocial ProtectionForeign AffairsEnvironment1977–1997Environment and Local GovernmentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsHousing, Local Government and HeritageEnvironment and Local Government1997–2003Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsHousing, Local Government and HeritageEnvironment, Heritage and Local Government2003–2011Environment, Community and Local GovernmentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaHousing, Local Government and HeritageEnvironment, Community and Local Government2011–2016Housing, Planning, Community and Local GovernmentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsHousing, Local Government and HeritageRural and Community DevelopmentEquality and Law Reform1993–1997Lapsed in 1997Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthJusticeExternal Affairs1924–1971Foreign AffairsForeign AffairsForeign Affairs and Trade2011–2020Foreign AffairsEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentForeign AffairsFisheries1924–1928Lands and FisheriesAgriculture, Food and the Marine1977–1978Fisheries and ForestryAgriculture, Food and the MarineFisheries and Forestry1978–1986Tourism, Fisheries and ForestryAgriculture, Food and the MarineEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsGaeltacht1956–1993Arts, Culture and the GaeltachtTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaHealth and Children1997–2011HealthHealthChildren, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthHousing, Planning, Community and Local Government2016–2017Housing, Planning and Local GovernmentHousing, Local Government and HeritageRural and Community DevelopmentHousing, Planning and Local Government2017–2020Housing, Local Government and HeritageHousing, Local Government and HeritageIndustry and Commerce1924–1977Industry, Commerce and EnergyEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentEnvironment, Climate and Communications1986–1993Enterprise and EmploymentEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentIndustry, Commerce and Energy1977–1980Industry, Commerce and TourismEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsIndustry, Commerce and Tourism1980–1981Trade, Commerce and TourismEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaIndustry and Energy1981–1983Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsIndustry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism1983–1986Industry and CommerceEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentForeign AffairsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaJobs, Enterprise, and Innovation2011–2017Business, Enterprise and InnovationEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentFurther and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and ScienceJustice, Equality and Law Reform1997–2010Justice and Law ReformJusticeJustice and Law Reform2010–2011Justice and EqualityJusticeJustice and Equality2011–2020JusticeJusticeChildren, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthLabour1966–1993Equality and Law ReformEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentLands and Agriculture1924–1928AgricultureAgriculture, Food and the MarineLands and Fisheries1928–1934LandsAgriculture, Food and the MarineEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsLands1934–1977FisheriesEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsLocal Government1947–1977EnvironmentHousing, Local Government and HeritageLocal Government and Public Health1924–1947Local GovernmentHealthHousing, Local Government and HeritageMarine1987–1997Marine and Natural ResourcesAgriculture, Food and the MarineMarine and Natural Resources1997–2002Communications, Marine and Natural ResourcesAgriculture, Food and the MarineEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsPosts and Telegraphs1924–1984Abolished in 1984Environment, Climate and CommunicationsPresident of the Executive Council1924–1937TaoiseachTaoiseachPublic Enterprise1997–2002TransportEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsTransportPublic Expenditure and Reform2011–2023Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and ReformPublic Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and ReformPublic Service1973–1987TransportFinanceSocial and Family Affairs2002–2010Social ProtectionChildren, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthSocial ProtectionSocial, Community and Family Affairs1997–2002Social and Family AffairsChildren, Equality, Disability, Integration and YouthSocial ProtectionRural and Community DevelopmentSocial Welfare1947–1997Social, Community and Family AffairsSocial ProtectionSupplies1939–1945Abolished in 1945Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentTrade, Commerce and Tourism1981–1983Industry, Trade, Commerce and TourismEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTransport1980–1984Abolished in 1984TransportTransport and Power1959–1977Tourism and TransportEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsTransportTourism and Trade1993–1997Tourism, Sport and RecreationEnterprise, Trade and EmploymentTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTourism, Culture and Sport2010–2011Arts, Heritage and the GaeltachtTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTransportTourism, Fisheries and Forestry1986–1987MarineAgriculture, Food and the MarineEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTourism and Transport1977–1980TransportTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTransportTourism and Transport1987–1991Transport, Transport and CommunicationsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTransportTourism, Sport and Recreation1997–2002Arts, Sport and TourismTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTourism, Tourism and Sport2011–2020TransportTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTransportTourism, Transport and Communications1991–1993Transport, Energy and CommunicationsEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsTourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and MediaTransportTransport, Energy and Communications1993–1997Public EnterpriseEnvironment, Climate and CommunicationsTransport

References Alphabetical list of orders made under section 6 (1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 (change of name and transfer of functions between Departments of State)