Who Does What in Irish Government
When something goes wrong — housing, health, immigration, planning — most people don't know which department is responsible, let alone which agency within it handles their issue. This page fixes that. Every department, every key agency, every contact point. Deep-linked so you can share the exact section someone needs.
Department of the Taoiseach
+Responsibilities
- Supporting the Taoiseach and Government
- Co-ordinating Government policy across all departments
- Northern Ireland and British-Irish relations
- European Council affairs
- Government Information Service (GIS)
- Protocol and State events
- National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
- Citizens' Assembly implementation
Key Bodies
Contact
Government Buildings, Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, D02 R583
Phone: 01 619 4000 • Department page
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
+Responsibilities
- Foreign policy and international relations
- Passport services
- Consular assistance for Irish citizens abroad
- EU affairs and Ireland's role in the EU
- International development and humanitarian aid (Irish Aid)
- Diaspora affairs and the Global Irish
- Trade promotion and export support
- United Nations and multilateral organisations
- Human rights and conflict resolution
- Brexit and UK relations
Key Bodies
Passport applications, renewals, and emergency travel documents
Passport OnlineIreland's official overseas development programme
irishaid.ie80+ embassies, consulates and permanent missions worldwide
Find an embassyDepartment of Finance
+Responsibilities
- Fiscal and economic policy
- Annual Budget preparation
- Tax policy (in conjunction with Revenue)
- Banking and financial regulation policy
- EU economic governance (Eurogroup, ECOFIN)
- National debt management
- International financial institutions (IMF, World Bank)
- Apple Tax Fund / Ireland Strategic Investment Fund
Key Bodies
Tax collection, customs, and excise. Manages PAYE, VAT, corporation tax, and customs enforcement
revenue.ieFinancial regulation, monetary policy (ECB system), consumer protection, prudential supervision
centralbank.ieManages the national debt, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, and State Claims Agency
ntma.ieIndependent watchdog assessing government fiscal policy and forecasts
fiscalcouncil.ieIndependent body for appealing Revenue decisions
taxappeals.ieContact
Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 R583
Phone: 01 676 7571 • Department page
Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
+Responsibilities
- Government spending and expenditure policy
- National Development Plan delivery and oversight
- Civil Service reform and HR policy
- Public sector pay and industrial relations
- Government procurement (OGP)
- e-Government and digital services
- Public service reform and innovation
- Data governance and open data
Key Bodies
Central purchasing body for the public service
OGP pageShared services for HR and payroll across civil service
nsso.gov.ieICT policy for the public service, digital government
Recruitment and selection for the civil and public service
publicjobs.ieDepartment of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
+Responsibilities
- Housing policy, social housing, and affordable housing delivery
- Homelessness policy and services
- Rental market regulation and tenant rights
- Planning and building standards
- Local government policy and reform
- Electoral policy and franchise
- Built heritage, national monuments, and archaeology
- Water services policy (Irish Water/Uisce Éireann)
- Pyrite and defective blocks remediation
- Land Development Agency
Key Bodies
Tenancy registration, dispute resolution, rent pressure zone enforcement. If you have a landlord problem, start here
rtb.iePlanning appeals, strategic infrastructure decisions, environmental assessments
pleanala.ieUses State land for affordable and social housing development
lda.ieResearch, data, and advice on housing supply and delivery
housingagency.ieNational water and wastewater services
water.ieProtecting and promoting Ireland's national heritage
heritagecouncil.ieDeliver housing, planning, roads, water, waste, amenities, and local services at county/city level
Find your councilDepartment of Health
+Responsibilities
- Health policy and legislation
- HSE governance and performance
- Mental health services and policy
- Drug and alcohol strategy
- Disability services policy
- Older persons' services and nursing home regulation
- Patient safety and health regulation
- Health workforce planning
- Sláintecare implementation (health system reform)
Key Bodies
Delivers all public health services: hospitals, GPs, community care, mental health, ambulance, public health
hse.ieInspects and regulates health and social care services including nursing homes
hiqa.ieRegulates medicines, medical devices, and clinical trials
hpra.ieRegulates and inspects mental health services, protects patients' rights
mhcirl.ieFood safety enforcement and consumer protection
fsai.ieContact
Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2
Phone: 01 635 4000 • Department page
Department of Education and Youth
+Responsibilities
- Primary and post-primary education policy
- School curriculum and assessment (Junior Cycle, Leaving Cert)
- Teacher registration, supply, and CPD
- Special educational needs provision
- School building and infrastructure programme
- School transport
- Gaeltacht and Irish-medium education
- Education Welfare (school attendance)
Key Bodies
Develops curriculum and assessment for schools
ncca.ieSNA allocations, special school places, resource provision
ncse.ieRuns the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations
examinations.ieRegisters and regulates teachers, maintains professional standards
teachingcouncil.ie16 regional bodies managing schools, training centres, and community education
etbi.ieSchool attendance, home-school liaison, educational welfare
tusla.ie/tessDepartment of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
+Responsibilities
- Universities and higher education institutions
- Further education and training (FET)
- Apprenticeships and skills development
- Research funding and policy
- Science and innovation policy
- Student grants (SUSI)
- National skills strategy
Key Bodies
Funding, governance, and regulation of universities and technological universities
hea.ieFurther education and training authority, manages apprenticeship system
solas.ieFunds oriented basic and applied research in science, technology, engineering and maths
sfi.ieProcesses and awards student maintenance and fee grants
susi.ieMaintains the National Framework of Qualifications, quality assures education and training
qqi.ieDepartment of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
+Responsibilities
- Criminal justice policy and legislation
- An Garda Síochána (policing) oversight
- Courts Service
- Prison and probation services
- Immigration, asylum, and citizenship
- Data protection policy
- Legal aid and access to justice
- Domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence policy
- Community safety and crime prevention
- Coroner service
Key Bodies
National police and security service
garda.ieManages the courts system — District, Circuit, High, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court
courts.ieManages the State's 12 prisons and places of detention
irishprisons.ieEnforces GDPR and data protection law. Lead supervisory authority for many Big Tech firms in Europe
dataprotection.ieProcesses asylum/international protection applications
ipo.gov.ieProtects and promotes human rights and equality
ihrec.ieProvides legal aid and advice in civil and some criminal matters
legalaidboard.ieIndependent oversight of Garda conduct, investigates complaints
gardaombudsman.ieOversees Garda performance and policing policy
policingauthority.ieDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
+Responsibilities
- Enterprise and business policy
- Trade promotion and EU trade agreements
- Employment law and workers' rights
- Workplace health and safety
- Company law and corporate governance
- Competition and consumer protection
- Employment permits and work visas
- Foreign direct investment (FDI) policy
Key Bodies
Attracts foreign direct investment to Ireland — the agency behind multinational operations in Ireland
idaireland.comSupports Irish-owned businesses to grow internationally
enterprise-ireland.comEmployment rights enforcement, mediation, adjudication, and inspections
workplacerelations.ieWorkplace safety regulation and enforcement
hsa.ieEnforces competition and consumer protection law, investigates mergers
ccpc.ieRegisters companies, business names, maintains public company records
cro.ieDepartment of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
+Responsibilities
- Agricultural policy and EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
- Farm payments and schemes (Basic Payment, ACRES, TAMS)
- Food safety and animal health
- Sea fisheries and aquaculture
- Forestry policy
- Land use and agri-environment
- Rural affairs (shared with Rural Dept)
- Food industry development
Key Bodies
Agriculture and food development authority — research, advisory, and training for farmers
teagasc.iePromotes Irish food, drink, and horticulture abroad. Origin Green sustainability programme
bordbia.ieEnforces sea-fisheries and food safety law for seafood
sfpa.ieDevelopment agency for the Irish seafood industry
bim.ieState forestry company managing 440,000 hectares. Commercial forestry, recreation, biodiversity
coillte.ieDepartment of Climate, Energy and the Environment
+Responsibilities
- Climate action and emissions reduction targets
- Energy policy — renewables, fossil fuel transition, security of supply
- Waste management and circular economy
- Telecommunications and broadband policy (National Broadband Plan)
- Broadcasting and media regulation
- Air quality and environmental protection
- Peatlands and just transition for affected communities
- Geological Survey Ireland
Key Bodies
Environmental regulation, licensing, monitoring, and enforcement. Publishes Ireland's emissions data
epa.ieEnergy efficiency grants (home retrofits, EV grants), renewable energy support
seai.ieRegulates electricity, gas, and water markets
cru.ieNational meteorological service — weather forecasting and warnings
met.ieRegulates broadcasting, online safety, media sustainability
cnam.ieOperates the national electricity grid and manages the all-island wholesale electricity market
eirgrid.ieDepartment of Transport
+Responsibilities
- Public transport policy
- Road infrastructure and motorways
- Rail services (Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail)
- Aviation and maritime policy
- Road safety
- Driver licensing and vehicle testing
- Active travel (cycling and walking infrastructure)
- BusConnects and MetroLink programmes
Key Bodies
Plans and funds public transport. Manages TFI (Transport for Ireland), Leap cards, real-time info
nationaltransport.ieNational roads and light rail (Luas) infrastructure
tii.ieState transport holding company: Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus (Go-Ahead), Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
cie.ieRoad safety promotion, driver licensing, vehicle testing (NCT), driving instructor regulation
rsa.ieAviation safety regulation and air traffic management
iaa.ieDepartment of Culture, Communications and Sport
+Responsibilities
- Tourism policy and promotion
- Arts, culture, and creative industries
- Irish language, Gaeltacht affairs, and island communities
- Sport and recreation
- National cultural institutions (museums, libraries, gallery)
- Film and screen industries
- Night-time economy
Key Bodies
National tourism development authority — supports domestic tourism
failteireland.iePromotes the island of Ireland as a tourist destination overseas (North-South body)
tourismireland.comFunds and develops sport and physical activity. Anti-doping
sportireland.ieFunds and develops the arts across Ireland
artscouncil.ieEconomic, social, and cultural development of Gaeltacht areas
udaras.ieFunds and promotes the Irish film, TV, and animation industry
screenireland.ieFour museum sites covering archaeology, art, natural history, and country life
museum.ieDepartment of Children, Disability and Equality
+Responsibilities
- Child protection and welfare
- Early years and childcare policy (National Childcare Scheme)
- Youth affairs and youth services
- Equality legislation and policy
- Disability services and inclusion
- Integration of migrants and refugees
- International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS)
- Adoption
Key Bodies
Child protection, family support, foster care, early years inspections, domestic violence services
tusla.ieIndependent office promoting and protecting children's rights
oco.ieAdvises government on disability policy and universal design
nda.ieManages and administers government and EU programmes for social inclusion, childcare, and community development
pobal.ieContact
Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2
Phone: 01 647 3000 • Department page
Department of Defence
+Responsibilities
- Defence policy and military strategy
- Óglaigh na hÉireann (Defence Forces) — Army, Naval Service, Air Corps
- International peacekeeping (UN, EU, NATO PfP)
- Emergency planning and civil defence
- Cyber defence
- Fishery protection and maritime security
Key Bodies
Army, Naval Service, Air Corps — approximately 8,500 permanent and 1,500 reserve members
military.ieVolunteer-based second-line emergency response — assists in severe weather, search and rescue
Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
+Responsibilities
- Rural development and regeneration
- Community development and social enterprise
- Town and village renewal schemes
- Island development and island communities
- LEADER rural development programme
- Volunteering policy
- Public libraries policy
- CLÁR programme (disadvantaged rural areas)
Key Bodies
Promotes economic and social development in the Western Region
wdc.ie49 not-for-profit companies delivering local social inclusion and rural development programmes
Regulates charities in Ireland, maintains the public Register of Charities
charitiesregulator.ieCross-Cutting & Independent Bodies
These bodies operate independently or span multiple departments.
Investigates complaints about public bodies, civil service, and local authorities
ombudsman.ieAudits government spending. Reports are gold standard for accountability research
audit.gov.ieOversees ethics in public office, political donations, and lobbying regulation
sipo.ieEnforces Freedom of Information (FOI) law. Appeals refused FOI requests
oic.ieNational statistical office. Census, economic data, social indicators
cso.ieLegal adviser to the Government. Drafts legislation
attorneygeneral.ieIndependent. Decides whether to prosecute criminal cases
dppireland.ieGovernment cyber security operations, incident response
ncsc.gov.ieManages State property, flood relief, national monuments and heritage sites
OPW pageProvides solicitor services to Government departments and offices
csso.ieLand registry, property registration, and mapping (merged Property Registration Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland, Valuation Office)
tailte.ieAnalytical and advisory services to Government — tests food, drugs, revenue samples
statelab.ie
Department of Social Protection
+Responsibilities
Key Bodies
One-stop shops for employment and income supports — find your local office
Find an Intreo officeIndependent body for appealing social welfare decisions
Appeals officeFunds Citizens Information Centres and MABS (money advice). Not under this dept but works closely with it
citizensinformation.ieContact
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1, D01 WY03
Phone: 01 704 3000 • Lo-Call: 0818 66 22 44 • Department page