The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, has announced the appointment of Mr John Hynes as director-general of the Social Welfare Services. He will now have responsibility for 3,800 staff and a total expenditure of more than £4.5 billion a year.
He joined the Department in 1969 and has worked in a number of areas within it. For the last three years he has held the post of assistant director-general.