The Minister for the Public Service was created by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1973, in March 1987 the ministers functions were transferred to the Minister for Tourism & Transport after the department was amalgamated.
The Irish Ministers for the Public Service have been:
| # | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Richie Ryan | November 1, 1973 | July 5, 1977 | Fine Gael |
| 2. | George Colley | July 5, 1977 | December 11, 1979 | Fianna Fáil |
| 3. | Michael O'Kennedy | December 12, 1979 | March 24, 1980 | Fianna Fáil |
| 4. | Gene FitzGerald (1st time) | March 24, 1980 | June 30, 1981 | Fianna Fáil |
| 5. | Liam Kavanagh | June 30, 1981 | March 9, 1982 | Labour |
| Gene FitzGerald (2nd time) | March 9, 1982 | December 14, 1982 | Fianna Fáil | |
| 6. | John Boland | December 14, 1982 | February 14, 1986 | Fine Gael |
| 7. | Ruairí Quinn | February 14, 1986 | January 20, 1987 | Fine Gael |
| 8. | John Bruton | January 20, 1987 | March 10, 1987 | Fine Gael |
| 9. | Ray MacSharry | March 10, 1987 | March 20, 1987 | Fianna Fáil |