Helen McEntee

Helen McEntee, TD is the Minister for Education and Youth. She was appointed to this role on 23 January 2025. 

Before this, she served as Minister for Justice since June 2020. 

Minister McEntee was elected to Dáil Éireann in a By-Election in March 2013, and re-elected in the February 2016 general election. She was appointed by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to be Minister for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health in May 2016. 

In June 2017, Minister McEntee was promoted to the position of Minister of State for EU Affairs. 

She previously served on the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications and was also a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. 

Minister McEntee has set out in Education Plan 2025 her aim to deliver a world-class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures every child and young person can achieve their full potential. 

Supporting children with additional needs and tackling educational disadvantage is a stated key priority for Minister McEntee. 

Minister McEntee is committed to supporting school leadership and management and secured additional funding for deputy principals in primary and post-primary schools in Budget 2026.