Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has confirmed he will increase the number of junior ministries by up to three when he announces the posts this week.
Speaking during a radio interview this afternoon Mr Ahern said he would not be appointing any independent TDs to Minister of State positions, which are expected to be announced on Tuesday.
He did, however, confirm that acting Green Party leader Trevor Sargent would be given a junior ministry.
He told RTÉ there were certain areas that needed to have junior ministers in charge.
"I'm going to have a small increase in the number of Ministers of State to take account of those particularly I have in mind the immigration, integration area where it is now just a huge issue," Mr Ahern said.
"There's a whole education area and research area where we are now putting enormous resources into that area. And there's the whole issue of older people and I have given a commitment that I would have a Minister of State in that area."
Mr Ahern said there would be "two or three" new junior ministries created. "I am going to designate people to functions. It is my view we get far better value and far better functioning and far better progress like this.
"There will not be an independent and...I have already stated that Trevor Sargent will be a Minister of State. He will have a very stated area, an area where he has a very specialist knowledge."
On Friday Mr Ahern said that Independent Mayo TD Beverly Flynn was a "hugely capable and competent person."
"She definitely has a very good future as an office holder in the future," Mr Ahern said. When asked if that may be in the lifetime of this government, he said: "I think that is a fair expectation." He hinted she may be appointed at the mid-term review after two-and-a-half years. "We would certainly like to see her back in Fianna Fail," he added.
Ms Flynn faces a massive legal bill after losing a libel action against RTÉ.
Labour said there was "absolutely no justification" in increasing the number of junior ministers in government. "This is a cynical move to facilitate cronyism for the government parties and their supporters. The government has no mandate for this move," said Eamon Gilmore, the party's environment spokesman.
"During the week we saw the important constitutional position of Ceann Comhairle being used by the Taoiseach to give a job to a Government minister who was now surplus to Mr Ahern's requirements.
"Now apparently three extra Minister of State positions, together with their offices, cars, drivers, staff and advisers are all to be created at considerable cost to the taxpayers, primarily to facilitate the return of Beverly Cooper-Flynn to the Fianna Fáil party."
Fine Gael environment spokesman Billy Timmins also said the Taoiseach's plan was "cynical" and "confirms the political impotence of the Greens and PDs in this Government."
"Fianna Fáil's attempts to quell disquiet among its backbenchers by creating extra Ministers on the hoof would have been greeted with dismay by the Greens and the PDs if they were in opposition today."
