Appointment of Secretary General at the Department of Social Protection

The Government has appointed Mr John McKeon to the post of Secretary General in the Department of Social Protection. Mr McKeon, who will take up his appointment on 23rd July 2017 succeeds Ms Niamh O’Donoghue who is retiring from the Department.

John joined the Department of Social Protection, in October 2010 and has held responsibility for labour market activation policy, the development and implementation of the Pathways to Work programme, and the modernisation of the Department’s public office (Intreo) services. He also held responsibility for staff relations and more recently Finance, including overseeing the Department’s budget of c €20bn p.a., Legislation and PRSI policy.

Prior to joining the Department he led Eircom’s wholesale’s business having joined the Department of Posts and Telegraphs as a trainee technician in September 1979 and subsequently moving on to Telecom Éireann and then Eircom.

In congratulating John on his appointment, Niamh O’Donoghue, outgoing Secretary General said: “Having worked with John over the course of the last seven years, I know that he will be a fantastic Secretary General for the Department and that he will bring a brilliant sense of purpose, energy and enthusiasm to the role. I wish him every success in the role.”

ENDS