Department of Social ProtectionThe Department supports the Minister for Social Protection in the discharge of governmental, parliamentary and departmental duties. Our main functions are to:
- advise Government and formulate appropriate social protection and social inclusion policies;
- design, develop and deliver effective and cost efficient income supports, activation and employment services, advice to clients and other related services; and
- work towards providing seamless delivery of services in conjunction with other Departments, agencies and bodies
In January 2011, responsibility for the processing of claims under the Redundancy and Insolvency Payments Schemes transferred from the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to the Department.
On 1 October 2011, to give effect to a Government decision in 2010 regarding changes to Departmental functions and responsibility, the Community Welfare Services of the Health Service Executive (HSE) transferred to the Department.
Responsibility for social inclusion, which had been assigned to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2010 was transferred back to the Department of Social Protection during 2011.
Employment services and community employment services of FÁS also transferred to the Department on 1 January 2012.
