Published: Wednesday, 24th March, 2010 5:00pm

Cabinet changes require careful scrutiny

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The cabinet reshuffle by the Taoiseach is predicated on re-invigorating the government as it enters the second half of its term of office.

Devising an effective mechanism to restart the economy is paramount to this thinking and changes in this sector of government are being closely evaluated by politicians, economists, employers and trade unions as we go to press.

In the latest shake-up the Tanaiste, Mary Coughlan, moves from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department Education; while Batt O'Keeffe takes over the newly configured Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. According to Mr. Cowen, the objective of his government is to drive forward innovation to develop home-grown and inward investment. The transfer of funding for research programmes in third level institutions to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation is designed to give impetus to achieving this goal. On the face of it, this would seem to give the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation a big say in how third level institutions shape their research programmes. The creation of a strong cadre of graduates who are highly qualified in the spheres of science and technology is laudable but one has to await the reaction of the universities to this new departure given their long tradition of emphasis on traditional academic subjects. Will third level institutions such as Dublin City University, Limerick University and Dublin Institute of Technology now have an advantage given their specialisation in the science and technology sectors?

Having trained people to take advantage of job opportunities is a must and with this in mind the Taoiseach has decided that the Department of Education and Science will now become the Department of Education and Skills, taking responsibility for the training activities of FÁS, which is to be aligned more closely with further education and with the training activities of VECs, Institutes of Technology and Youthreach.

The latest changes in the remit of the various government departments is more significant than the personnel changes and promotions. The employment services of FÁS are being transferred to the Department of Social Protection (formerly Social and Family Affairs) in order to provide a more joined up and streamlined response to the unemployed. The community services programme of FAS and the Rural Social scheme are also being deployed to this Department.

The cabinet reshuffle is an endorsement of local Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith, who retains his position as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as well as being given the added responsibility of the horse racing and dog racing industries, which have been reassigned to it. Junior Ministers Pat Carey and Tony Killeen have been promoted to the cabinet; while three Junior Ministers are set to be appointed. It's understood that Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party will take up these positions in a move that Fianna Fáil hope will stabilise the coalition.

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