Role of the Health and Safety Policy Section

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In Ireland all workplace health and safety legislation is administered, enforced and promoted by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The HSA is a State-sponsored body initially set up under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, and it operates under the auspices of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

The role of the Health and Safety Policy Section is, principally, to act as a liaison mechanism between the Health and Safety Authority and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The functions of the Section in this regard include;

• to formulate and develop policy relating to workplace health and safety, including reviewing legislative requirements and "work environment" developments on an ongoing basis
• to monitor and support the activities of the Health and Safety Authority. This includes the negotiation of financial resources and monitoring of staff resources for the HSA, the disbursement of its Exchequer Grant and monitoring of expenditure
• to advise and inform the Minister and Management of the Department on matters relating to workplace health and safety
• to interact with the HSA and other Government Departments, State Agencies and the European Commission on matters relating to workplace health and safety, and to provide Departmental representation on relevant Committees arising from such interaction where necessary

The structure of the Unit is:

John Hughes
(Assistant Principal)
631 3126

Evelyn Daly
(Higher Executive Officer)
631 3091

Frank Mooney
(Higher Executive Officer)
631 3300

Joe Wilson
(Executive Officer)
631 3184

Séamus McCarthy
(Clerical Officer)
631 3189