Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is set to announce junior ministerial posts as early as this week, a Government spokesman confirmed this afternoon.
Mr Ahern confirmed at the weekend he will increase the number of Ministers of State from 17 to 20, with one new post in the area of immigration and integration, and another with responsibility for issues surrounding older people.
He said that the Green Party's Trevor Sargent, who announced last week that he is stepping down as leader, will also be a Minister of State.
Mr Ahern is to amend legislation to allow him to increase the number of Ministers of State, but the spokesman said he could announce his nominations prior to the legislation passing through the Oireachtas.
He said there was no definite time frame for the Taoiseach's announcement, but it is believed it will come either at the end of this week or early next week. The Dáil resumes business next Tuesday, June 26th, with the issue of stamp duty reform on the agenda.
Last Friday Mr Ahern said that Independent Mayo TD Beverly Flynn was a "hugely capable and competent person" and might be given a junior ministry in the future.
"She definitely has a very good future as an office holder in the future," Mr Ahern said. When asked if that may be in the lifetime of this government, he said: "I think that is a fair expectation."
He hinted she may be appointed at the mid-term review after two-and-a-half years. "We would certainly like to see her back in Fianna Fáil," he added.
Ms Flynn faces a massive legal bill after losing a libel action against RTÉ.
The increase in the number of junior positions drew criticism from Labour and Fine Gael.
