[5] The department's main responsibilities are as follows: Northern Ireland has parity with Great Britain in three areas: Policy in these areas is technically devolved but, in practice, follows policy set by Parliament to provide consistency across the United Kingdom.

[6] The department is also responsible for the following public bodies: It also oversees the Office of the Social Fund Commissioner.

A separate Ministry of Health and Local Government was established in June 1944, as part of the welfare state.

Health and social services and environment ministries were also included in the Northern Ireland Executive briefly established in 1974.

The process was known as devolution and was set up to return devolved legislative powers to Northern Ireland.