Public health agencies

You can get free public healthcare services from various organisations in Ireland. Some organisations deliver health services, and others provide advice or regulation.

The Department of Health

The Government, the Minister for Health and the Department of Health are at the head of the health service. The Department's main role is to support the Minister and Ministers of State in the development and implementation of policy for the health services. It also monitors the performance of health services.

Health services are delivered by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The Health Service Executive (HSE)

Most healthcare is provided within the main structure of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Other agencies which it supports are listed below, as well as websites dealing with specific health issues.

• CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council
• Dental Council
• Food Safety Authority of Ireland
• Health Information Quality Authority
• Health Insurance Authority
• Health Products Regulatory Authority
• Health Research Board
• Irish Blood Transfusion Service
• Medical Council
• Mental Health Commission
• National Cancer Registry Ireland
• National Paediatric Hospital Development Board
• National Treatment Purchase Fund
• Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
• Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
• Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
• Safefood
• The VHI (Voluntary Health Insurance Board)

• National Drug Treatment Centre
• National Poisons Information Centre
• Primary Care Re-imbursement Service
• Health Protection Surveillance Centre
• Drugs.ie
• GetIrelandActive.ie
• HealthPromotion.ie
• Quit.ie
• Sexualwellbeing.ie
• Askaboutalcohol.ie

There are 2 health services which are jointly run by the governments of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland:

Food Safety Promotions Board

Institute of Public Health in Ireland

If you are coming to live, work, study or retire in Ireland, you can read about entitlement to health services and health services for visitors to Ireland.

If you are coming to Ireland on holiday or on a short stay (for example, on business), you can read more information on health services for visitors to Ireland.

You can also access a range of private healthcare services. You must pay the full cost of treatment if you choose private healthcare. Read more about private health insurance companies in Ireland.