Information
There are 16 Government departments. Each department is headed by a minister
appointed by the Taoiseach.
You can get a list
of Government Ministers and Ministers of State.
Each department has a permanent staff that remains in office regardless of
changes in Government. The departments' staff are described as the civil service.
If you have a complaint about a decision or action of a Government
department or a public body and have exhausted their internal complaints
process, you may contact
the Ombudsman.
Changes in the names and responsibilities of some departments were announced
on 9 March 2011.
- Department of
Agriculture, Food and the Marine: This Department regulates the
agriculture and food industries.
- Department of Arts,
Heritage and the Gaeltacht: This Department is responsible for the
development of arts and culture, and the conservation of both natural and
built heritage. In addition, the Department promotes the social, physical
and economic development of Gaeltacht areas and Irish as the principal
community language in the Gaeltacht.
- Department of
Children and Youth Affairs: This Department is responsible for the
development of harmonised policies and quality integrated service delivery
for children and young people. It carries out specific functions in the
social care field and drives coordinated actions across a range of sectors,
including health, education, youth justice, sport, arts and culture.
- Department of
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: This Department has
responsibility for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. It
promotes the development of a competitive energy supply industry and is
responsible for ensuring the security and reliability of energy supply. It
also regulates, protects and develops the inland fisheries and natural
resources of Ireland. The Geological Survey of Ireland is linked to
this Department.
- Department of Defence:
This Department manages and controls the defence forces.
- Department of Education
and Skills: This Department is responsible for providing public
education at primary and post-primary levels. It also manages State
subsidies for universities and third-level colleges. Since 2010 it also has
responsibility for the training activities of FÁS and the work of the
Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.
- Department of Environment,
Community and Local Government: This Department promotes development
and protects amenities. It oversees the local authorities and has
responsibility for community and rural development generally. In addition,
the Department has functions relating to housing, manages elections, and
promotes the protection of the environment. The Meteorological Office, and the Radiological Protection Institute of
Ireland are linked to this Department.
- Department of
Finance: This Department is concerned with the economic and financial
management of the State.
- Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade. This Department promotes and protects our interests abroad.
It pursues peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. It is also
responsible for foreign trade and development.
- Department of Health: This
Department is responsible for development of health policy and the planning
of health services. Health services are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
- Department of Jobs,
Enterprise and Innovation: This Department is responsible for the
promotion and development of enterprise, employment, the protection of
workers and the regulation of businesses. It also has responsibility for
the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions.
- Department of Justice and
Equality: (was the Department of Justice and Law Reform). This
Department aims to protect the security of the State, to prevent and tackle
crime and to protect individuals' rights and freedoms. It also deals with
immigration.
- Department of Public Expenditure and
Reform: This Department advises the Government on the overall
management and control of the public sector.
- Department of Social
Protection: (was the Department of Social and Family Affairs). This
Department provides income and other support services. It has
responsibility for the employment and community services sections of FÁS
and the Rural Social Scheme, as well as responsibility for the payment of
redundancy and insolvency payments.
- Department of the
Taoiseach. This Department provides administrative and research support
services to the Taoiseach and the Government.
- Department of Transport,
Tourism and Sport. This Department is responsible for roads (other than
local roads), driver testing, traffic issues, bus and rail transport,
aviation policy, and road safety. It is also responsible for the growth of
sustainable tourism and it promotes sport at local, regional, and national
levels.
