Minister of State (with special responsibility for Equality)

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The Minister of State, who has special responsibility for Equality, is officially styled Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, at the Department of Education and Science, at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (with special responsibility for Equality, Disability Issues and Mental Health), and is a junior ministerial post in the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Justice, Equality and Law Reform of the Government of Ireland. The Minister works together with the various senior Ministers in these departments and has special responsibility for all equality issues. The Minister of State does not hold cabinet rank. From 2008, Disability Issues and Mental Health were added to the brief.

The current incumbent is John Moloney, TD, who took up the post in May 2008.

[edit] Minister of State for Equality, Disability Issues & Mental Health 1997–present

#		Name	Entered Office	Left Office	Party
	1.	Mary Wallace	8 July 1997	6 June 2002	Fianna Fáil
	2.	Willie O'Dea	19 June 2002	29 September 2004	Fianna Fáil
	3.	Frank Fahey	29 September 2004	20 June 2007	Fianna Fáil
	4.	Seán Power	20 June 2007	13 May 2008	Fianna Fáil
	5.	John Moloney	13 May 2008	Incumbent	Fianna Fáil