The Department of Health ( ga, An Roinn Sláinte) is a department of the

Government of Ireland The Government of Ireland ( ga, Rialtas na hÉireann) is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland. The Constitution of Ireland vests executive authority in a government which is headed by the , the head of government. The govern ...

. The department's mission is to "support, protect and empower individuals, families and their communities to achieve their full health potential by putting health at the centre of public policy and by leading the development of high quality, equitable and efficient health and personal social services." The department is led by the

Minister for Health A health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services. Some governments have separate ministers for mental health. Coun ...

, who is assisted by two Ministers of State. The department attracts much controversy particularly due to the HSE.

Brian Cowen Brian Bernard Cowen (born 10 January 1960) is an Irish former politician who served as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2008 to 2011. Cowen was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1984, for the constituency of Laois–Offaly and served in a ...

, a former minister for health, referred to it as "

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" clarifying "just when you've cleared one

land mine A land mine is an explosive device concealed under or on the ground and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets, ranging from combatants to vehicles and tanks, as they pass over or near it. Such a device is typically detonated automati ...

another goes off".

Departmental team

The headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are in

Miesian Plaza Miesian Plaza (formerly known as the Bank of Ireland Headquarters) is an office building complex on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. It is designed in the International Style, inspired by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, particularly his Sea ...

Baggot Street Baggot Street () is a street in Dublin, Ireland. Location The street runs from Merrion Row (near St. Stephen's Green) to the northwestern end of Pembroke Road. It crosses the Grand Canal near Haddington Road. It is divided into two sections: ...

, Dublin. The departmental team consists of the following: *

: Stephen Donnelly, TD ** Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people: Mary Butler, TD ** Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well being, and the National Drugs Strategy:

Frank Feighan Frank Feighan (; born 4 July 1962) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Sligo–Leitrim constituency since 2020, and previously from 2007 to 2016 for the Roscommon–South Leitrim constituency. He served ...

, TD ** Minister of State with responsibility for disability: Anne Rabbitte, TD *Secretary General of the Department: Robert Watt

History

The department was created by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1946. This took effect in 1947 with James Ryan as the first Minister. Prior to this, the Department for Local Government and Public Health was responsible for Health.

Alteration of name and transfer of functions

The provisions of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 to transfer certain matters related to disability policy to the

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth ( ga, An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige) is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Children, Equ ...

have not yet been commenced.

Structure

The role of the department and departmental team is to support the minister and the democratic process by: *Formulating policy underpinned by an evidence-based approach and providing direction on national health priorities ensuring that quality and value for money are enhanced through the implementation of an evidence-based approach underpinned by monitoring and evaluation. *Protecting the interests of patients and consumers and supporting practitioners and professionals to practice to the highest standards by providing a prudent and appropriate regulatory framework. *Providing effective stewardship over health resources by demanding accountability for achieving outcomes including financial, managerial and clinical accountability, and by providing the frameworks, including enhanced service planning at national level to improve the overall governance of the health system. *Fulfilling the state's obligations in relation to the EU, WHO,

Council of Europe The Council of Europe (CoE; french: Conseil de l'Europe, ) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it has 46 member states, with a p ...

and other international bodies and the continued implementation of the co-operation agenda decided by the North-South Ministerial Council.

References

External links

Department of HealthStructure of the DepartmentSpending by the Department
{{DEFAULTSORT:Department Of Health (Ireland)

Health Health, according to the World Health Organization, is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity".World Health Organization. (2006)''Constitution of the World Health Organ ...

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...