The department's mission is to "support, protect and empower individuals, families and their communities to achieve their full health potential by putting health at the centre of public policy and by leading the development of high quality, equitable and efficient health and personal social services."

Brian Cowen, a former minister for health, referred to it as "Angola" clarifying "just when you've cleared one land mine another goes off".

[1] The headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are in Miesian Plaza, Baggot Street, Dublin.

The departmental team consists of the following: The department was created by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1946.

The role of the department and departmental team is to support the minister and the democratic process by:[citation needed]