Published Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness want Alliance Leader David Ford to continue in the role, but in turn the Department for Employment and Learning will cease to exist.
It means Mr Ford's party would lose one minister in Dr Stephen Farry, who currently runs DEL.
His department could be abolished as early as June and its duties split between the Department of Education and the Department of Enterprise - which are run by Sinn Féin and the DUP respectively.
Mr Ford was elected Justice Minister in April 2010 by a cross-community vote.
His stewardship of DOJ was due to end this may but he will now retain control.
Plans for the move were put forward at Stormont last week by Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness and a consultation was held.
Mr Ford called the proposals a "deeply irresponsible power grab" by the two parties, while Mr Robinson argued it represents a good deal for Alliance.