Who We Are

Ministers

Secretary General

John Murphy

Statement of Strategy

Our Mission: To support the creation of good jobs by promoting the development of a competitive business environment in which enterprises will operate to high standards and grow in sustainable markets.

Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 (PDF, 597KB) | Ráiteas Straitéise 2011-2014 (PDF, 670KB)

What's New

The Worplace Relations website aims to promote harmonious workplaces by providing information for employers and employees on rights and obligations under employment, equality and industrial relations law. Complaints regarding employment disputes or alleged contravention of employment or equality law can be made through the site. It also provides information on progress of the Workplace Relations Reform Programme.

Offices under the aegis of the Department

Companies Registration Office »

The Companies Registration Office is the central repository of public statutory information on Irish companies and business names.#

Employment Appeals Tribunal »

The Employment Appeals Tribunal is an independent body bound to act judicially and was set up to provide a fair, inexpensive and informal means for individuals to seek remedies for alleged infringements of their statutory rights.

Labour Court »

The Labour Court was established to provide a free, comprehensive service for the resolution of disputes about industrial relations, equality, organisation of working time, national minimum wage, part-time work, fixed-term work, safety, health and welfare at work, information and consultation matters.

Labour Relations Commission »

The LRC works with employers and employees to develop and improve good employment relations practices and procedures in their workplaces.

National Employment Rights Authority »

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) was established under the Social Partnership Agreement "Towards 2016" to achieve a national culture of employment rights compliance.

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement »

The mission of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) is to improve the compliance environment for corporate activity in the Irish economy.

Office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies »

The Registrar of Friendly Societies is responsible for the assessment and registration of applications and any subsequent amendment of rules which societies are obliged to render to the Registrar, and to ensure that registered societies meet their statutory obligations with regard to filing returns, which once registered are made available for inspection by the public.

Patents Office »

The mission of the Patents Office is to provide an efficient and effective system of industrial property protection that will encourage technological progress and promote enterprise through the implementation by the Office of the relevant legislation. This is to be achieved through the protection of industrial property rights in the fields of patents, trade marks and designs.

Bodies/Agencies under the aegis of the Department

City and County Enterprise Boards »

The 35 CEBs, were established in Ireland in 1993 to provide support for small businesses ('micro-enterprises') with 10 employees or less, at local level.

Competition Authority »

The Competition Authority is the State body responsible for enforcing Irish and European competition law in Ireland. Competition benefits everyone: consumers, businesses and the economy as a whole.

Enterprise Ireland »

Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.

Forfás »

Forfás is Ireland's policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation.

Health and Safety Authority »

The Health and Safety Authority is the national statutory body with responsibility for enforcing occupational safety and health law, promoting and encouraging accident prevention, and providing information and advice to all companies, organisations and individuals.

IDA Ireland »

Ireland's inward investment promotion agency, IDA Ireland (Industrial Development Agency) is responsible for the attraction and development of foreign investment in Ireland.

InterTrade Ireland »

InterTradeIreland is the only organisation which supports SMEs across the island to develop North/South trade and business development opportunities for the mutual benefit of both economies.

Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority »

IAASA's principal functions include supervising the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies' regulation and monitoring of their members and monitoring certain listed entities' statutory financial reporting for compliance with relevant reporting frameworks.

National Consumer Agency »

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) is a statutory body established by the Irish Government in May 2007 to enforce consumer law and promote consumer rights.

National Standards Authority of Ireland »

NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is Ireland's official standards body. The NSAI is the national certification authority for CE Marking and provides a certification service to enable business demonstrate that Irish goods and services conform to applicable standards.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board »

InjuriesBoard.ie is the independent government body which assesses the amount of compensation due to a person who has suffered a personal injury.

Science Foundation Ireland »

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) invests in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science and engineering.

Shannon Development »

Shannon Development is a government owned regional development company dedicated to promoting and developing the Shannon Region of Ireland.