The Department of Social Protection develops and delivers social protection policies and services, ensuring they are effective, efficient and accessible. It provides income supports and services to people at all stages of life, including pensions, maternity and child benefit, illness, disability and carer's payments, and supports for one-parent, jobseeker's payments and working families.
The Department also delivers employment services, helping people find work and access training. It directly funds a range of employment programmes and citizen information services. Funded through the Social Insurance Fund (PRSI contributions) and general taxation, the Department aims to reduce poverty, support social inclusion, and help people participate fully in society.
The Department of Health works to improve the health and wellbeing for everyone in Ireland by delivering the right care, at the right place, at the right time. To achieve this, the Department ensures the best value from health system resources by promoting effective management of health and social care services.
Several areas fall under the Department’s remit, including services for Older People, Mental Health Supports, Primary Care, and Acute Settings. The Department also supports policies that promote better health outcomes for all, with the ultimate goal of creating an environment where every individual and sector can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has a wide range of responsibilities that touch on the lives of everyone who lives in the State. Its priority role is the delivery of well-planned homes. It develops housing policies, oversees social and affordable housing programmes and works to address homelessness. The Department supports local government services, elections, fire services and emergency management. In addition, it oversees nature conservation, national parks and emergency management.
The Department works to support sustainable development and vibrant communities through strategic planning, the sustainable management of our water resources, the nurturing and protection of Ireland’s heritage and effective local government. It supports the work of Met Éireann, Ireland’s National Meteorological Services, which is a line division of the department.
The Department of Education and Youth provides education and supports for almost one million children and young people across Ireland. Its work is delivered through a workforce of approximately 112,000 staff, including 75,000 teachers and 25,000 Special Needs Assistants. The Department sets education policy, oversees curriculum and assessment, provides services for children with special educational needs, and works every day to make education fair, safe, and inclusive for all.
It also funds and supports schools and teachers, through payroll, pensions and professional development, delivers youth services, and plans for future educational requirements. The Department is committed to providing a world-class education system that removes barriers and enables every child and young person to reach their full potential.
The Department of Transport plays a central role in facilitating the movement of people and goods throughout Ireland, as well as ensuring connectivity to and from our island nation. The Department is responsible for overseeing the allocation of public funds, ensuring that taxpayer resources are invested efficiently to build a sustainable and future-ready transport system.
It oversees transport infrastructure development, public transport services, the development and upkeep of road, rail, bus and active travel infrastructure the regulation of safe and competent transport operations across land, air, and sea and the delivery of the State’s responsibilities in providing maritime search and rescue.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration supports the Government in maintaining a safe, secure and inclusive society. It develops policy and legislation across justice, policing, security, immigration and community safety, while working to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights and promote equality. The Department is responsible for strengthening the criminal justice system, supporting the transformation of policing services, enhancing national security and managing Ireland’s immigration and international protection systems. It also works to improve access to justice, support victims of crime and foster safer communities, helping to ensure that public services and institutions continue to meet the needs of a modern and growing society.
The overall goal of the Department of the Taoiseach is to support the Taoiseach and the Government, including implementation of the Programme for Government, through principled leadership and joined-up governance by:
The Department of Finance’s mission is to lead in delivering the Government’s economic, fiscal, and financial policy objectives. Our aim is to advise on, design, and implement economic policies that protect domestic living standards and strengthen resilience in the face of an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The Department maintains a strong focus on sectoral priorities - developing and refining policies to increase housing supply, support enterprise, and improve outcomes in insurance and other areas of the financial sector. In doing so, we work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure a coherent, whole-of-Government approach that delivers value for taxpayers.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation works from the centre of Government to drive the delivery of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland by:
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) is responsible for developing policy, legislation and services that support children, disabled people, families and those experiencing inequality or disadvantage in Ireland. It oversees areas including early learning and childcare, child welfare and protection, participation, disability policy and services, equality and human rights and supports for vulnerable groups.
The Department works across Government to strengthen children's rights, improve access to services, promote inclusion and ensure people can participate fully in society. It also funds and oversees a range of public bodies and programmes that deliver services on the ground. Through its leadership, policy development and investment, DCDE works with communities to create a fairer, more inclusive Ireland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade protects and promotes Ireland’s interests and values globally, and supports peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. It strengthens relationships with other countries and expands trade, investment and economic opportunities. The Department represents the interests of Irish citizens and businesses in helping to shape EU decisions and policies, and works through the UN and other international organisations to address global challenges and promote peace and security.
The Department also delivers Ireland’s overseas development programme, Irish Aid. The world-class passport service issues almost one million passports annually, and the Department provides consular assistance and services to Irish citizens, including those in distress or crisis, and supports Irish communities overseas. The Department’s network of 107 Embassies and Consulates supports this work worldwide.
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is responsible for the delivery of climate action; the transformation of our energy systems; the protection and resilience of our land and marine environment; and ensuring a resource-efficient economy. The Department’s work is central to the Programme for Government, reducing Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels, enhancing renewable energy generation, reducing waste and harnessing our natural resources so that our communities and economy can thrive.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is responsible for supporting Ireland’s agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors. It provides financial supports for farmers and rural businesses, promotes the development of Ireland’s food and farming industries and supports the fisheries and marine sectors. DAFM also protects animal and plant health, oversees animal welfare and ensures compliance with Irish and EU regulations.
DAFM plays an important role in implementing EU policies and protecting Ireland’s natural resources, while supporting the sustainable development and competitiveness of the sectors within its remit.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) leads the development and implementation of Government policy across enterprise, tourism and employment. Its distinct roles and responsibilities are to foster enterprise growth, innovation, productivity and international competitiveness; support start-ups, SMEs, exporters and inward investment; promote sustainable tourism development; oversee employment rights, industrial relations, workplace safety, skills needs and employment permits; maintain effective frameworks for competition, consumer protection and business regulation; and represent Ireland’s interests in trade, the EU Single Market and relevant international forums.
The Department delivers this remit in partnership with its offices, agencies, other government departments, social partners and enterprise stakeholders. Through these functions, it seeks to strengthen economic resilience, support the digital and low-carbon transitions, create quality employment and promote balanced regional development and prosperity throughout the State. The Department’s overarching objective is to make Ireland a leading location in which to work, do business and visit.
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport's role is to enable the development of the culture, communications, media and sport sectors, to contribute to an Ireland that is active, connected and thriving. This will be fulfilled through:
The Department of Defence supports the Government in achieving its goal of providing for the military defence of the State, contributing to national and international peace and security. It is responsible for the development and implementation of defence policy and legislation and leads Ireland's engagement on defence and related security matters at national, EU, and international level. In addition, it oversees defence capability development, including major equipment procurement and infrastructure investment, emergency planning and resilience, military pensions, and the development of Civil Defence. It also supports the delivery of security, emergency response, and community services by the Defence Forces.
The Department Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht supports the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities throughout Ireland, including in rural, urban, island and Gaeltacht areas, embracing their unique cultural, linguistic and environmental features.
The Department's focus is on strengthening community resilience and social cohesion, supporting communities so that they are empowered to face current and future challenges. We achieve this through a range of policy initiatives, funding schemes and interventions intended to improve the economic and social development of rural and urban communities, including in Gaeltacht regions and on our off-shore islands.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science helps people of all ages develop the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to succeed in life and in work. The Department supports colleges, universities, apprenticeships, adult learning, research and innovation across Ireland. Its work helps individuals reach their potential through education, while strengthening communities, improving wellbeing and supporting economic growth.
The Department invests in education and research that meets today's needs and prepares for the future. By promoting skills, innovation and lifelong learning, it helps to create a more competitive, inclusive and prosperous Ireland for everyone.