Mr Roddy Molloy, right, has been appointed director general of the State training and jobs authority, FAS.

An assistant secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment since 1997 with special responsibility for corporate services, Mr Molloy's likely appointment was previously reported in The Irish Times. He previously worked in the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

From Co Offaly, he will take up the position on October 2nd, replacing Dr John Lynch who is leaving to become full-time executive chairman of CIE.