The Government has announced the appointment of Paul Reid as director general of the Health Service Executive.
The post has been vacant since Tony O'Brien left the position last summer.
Mr Reid is currently chief executive of Fingal County Council, a role he has occupied since 2014.
He previously worked in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as Eircom and Trócaire.
Mr Reid was appointed to his new position following an open competition by the Public Appointment Service.
He will serve a term of five years and is expected to take up his new role on 14 May.
Mr Reid's appointment was noted at this morning's Cabinet meeting.
In a statement, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "Paul Reid takes up this post at a critical time of change and reform in our health services. For the first time, in a long time, we have the resources, we have the plan and we have the people to move forward.
"Paul will work with the newly appointed and empowered HSE board and with the Executive Director of Sláintecare, Laura Magahy, as implementation of our 10 year plan to improve and reform the health service steps up a gear".
Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomed the appointment, saying it came "at an exciting time for the health service with a clear policy direction as outlined by Sláintecare, record investment and a major capital programme".
Mr Reid said "There is no doubt this will be a huge challenge as we will have to manage and strengthen the current service delivery mechanisms, whilst at the same time leading the transformation to a new model of integrated care as set out under Sláintecare. The primary focus throughout my term will be the experiences of the patients and all who engage with us".
