Minister for Health (Ireland)


The Minister for Health is a senior minister in the Government of Ireland and leads the Department of Health. The Minister for Health is responsible for healthcare in Ireland and related services.
The current Minister for Health is Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD. She is assisted by:
WWW gov.ie/en/organisation/de...

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 control of 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 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 health services. The main policy sections of the department, together with their responsibilities, are:

Continuing Care

Finance

  • Health insurance
  • Hospital planning
  • Public-Private Partnerships

Personnel Management and Development

  • Nursing policy
  • Personnel management and development

Primary Care

Secondary Care

  • Blood policy
  • Hospital services

Strategic Policy and Corporate Services

  • Corporate Services
  • Health promotion
  • Health Strategy Legislation

List of office-holders

Minister for Health 1947–1997

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Minister for Health and Children 1997–2011

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Minister for Health 2011–present

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