The Minister for Health ( ga, An tAire Sláinte) is a senior
minister in 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 ...
and leads the
Department of Health. The Minister for Health is responsible for
healthcare in the Republic of Ireland and related services.
The current Minister for Health is
Stephen Donnelly,
TD. He is assisted by:
*
Mary Butler, TD –
Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People; and
*
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 for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy.
History
Health care formed part of the portfolio of the
Minister for Local Government and Public Health until 22 January 1947. On that date the new position of Minister for Health was created, with complete control over all policy regarding health care provision in Ireland. In the past, it was common for the minister to also hold the position of
Minister for Social Welfare.
In recent years, and especially since the tenure of
Michael Noonan in 1994–1997, being appointed as minister has become somewhat of a "poisoned chalice" in government circles and a portfolio to be avoided by aspiring politicians, during his tenure
Brian Cowen referred to the Department of Health as
Angola
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because there were landmines everywhere.
A number of scandals, mostly due to
medical negligence, have meant that the minister immediately becomes identified with the scandal. For instance the
Hepatitis C scandal, the withholding of baby organs without parental consent or knowledge, the
Michael Neary saga in Drogheda and other high-profile medical scandals have dogged the minister and department. Additionally the minister has to deal with logistic issues not seen in other departments such as strikes, shortages and queues which are all too familiar in clinics and hospitals around the country.
Overview
The Minister's duties include the creation and assessment of policy for the health services. The main policy sections of the department, together with their responsibilities, are:
Child Care
*Child care legislation
*National Children's Office
Continuing Care
*Services for homeless adults
*Services for people with disabilities
*Services for the elderly and palliative care
Finance
*Health insurance
*Hospital planning
*Public-Private Partnerships
Personnel Management and Development
*Nursing policy
*Personnel management and development
Primary Care
*Community health (child health, dental services, AIDS, reproductive health)
*General medical services
Secondary Care
*Blood policy
*Hospital services
Strategic Policy and Corporate Services
*Corporate Services
*Health promotion
*Health Strategy Legislation
List of office-holders
References
External links
Department of HealthHealth Information and Quality Authority
{{DEFAULTSORT:Health
Government ministers of the Republic of Ireland
Lists of government ministers of Ireland
Ministries established in 1947
Minister
1947 establishments in Ireland