Press release
Minister Harris announces appointment of new Secretary General
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris is pleased to announce the appointment of Colm O’Reardon as Secretary General of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Colm O’Reardon is currently Head of the Strategic Economic Development Division in the Department of Finance.
Speaking following Cabinet approval today, Minister Harris said:
“I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Colm as Secretary General of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Colm in continuing the important work of the department, and addressing key issues for our economy and society by creating a more unified third level education system, developing skills for the green and digital transformation and expanding our apprenticeship offering.
“The Secretary General will be well placed to provide leadership across our sector, working closely with our educational agencies and our Higher Education Institutes to deliver on the government’s priorities. I am confident that Colm will take on this challenge with focus and enthusiasm.
“I would also like to acknowledge the important role which Jim Breslin has played in establishing this new department, as he retires from the civil service this week. In addition to working in this department with Jim, I also previously worked closely in the Department of Health, where he was also Secretary General.
“Throughout his career, Jim has displayed leadership and commitment. He has overseen the establishment of two new government departments and led the Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I would like to thank Jim most sincerely for the commitment which he has displayed as Secretary General, and the example and leadership he provided, throughout his time in the role. He has been an exemplary leader and I wish him the very best for the future."
The new Secretary General, Colm O’Reardon will begin his role with the department next week.
In previous roles, Colm was Secretary to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare, and Head of Strategy and Policy at the Department of Health. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Churchill College Cambridge and Wolfson College Oxford. He holds a D.Phil. in Economics from the University of Oxford, where he was also a Rhodes scholar.