Patrick O’Donovan was appointed as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the nomination of the Taoiseach Simon Harris in April 2024. He is the Fine Gael TD for Limerick County having been first elected to the Dáil in 2011 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. He served as Minister for the Office of Public Works and also Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta up until Simon Harris’ election as Taoiseach. He had served as Minister for the OPW since 2020, and in December 2022 was also appointed to the position of Minister of State for the Gaeltacht. He previously served as Minister of State in the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform with responsibility for eGov and Public Procurement, and he also served as Minister of State for Tourism and Sport. During the 31st Dáil he served as a member of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, the Oireachtas Committees on Transport, Communications and Natural Resources and Public Services Oversight and Petitions. He was also a member of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
Prior to his election to Dáil Éireann, Patrick was a member of Limerick County Council from 2003 to 2011 representing the Newcastle West Electoral Area during which he served as Leader of the Fine Gael group on the Council. He is a former National President of Young Fine Gael. Patrick worked as an Analytical Chemist, Health, Safety and Environment manager, industry consultant and primary teacher prior to his election to the Dáil.