Administrative branch
The administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health includes several independent institutions and agencies, which implement the ministry’s objectives in society and participate in Government Programme projects.
Some of the independent institutions and agencies produce research data for bill drafting and as a basis for social and health policies and decision-making. Some of the government agencies act as licence and supervisory authorities.
In addition, there are several advisory committees and boards in its administrative branch.
The ministry coordinates activities in the administrative branch through a management group comprised of the top management of the ministry, agencies and institutions.
The four-year performance agreements between the Ministry and the agencies define common objectives:
- Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea)
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health TTL
- Social Security Appeal Board (In Finnish)
The agreements and their implementation are reviewed annually. Documents concerning performance guidance in the administrative branch:
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, together with the Ministry of Finance and other ministries, will draw up the performance agreement of the Finnish Supervisory Agency in cooperation with the Agency.
As part of the performance agreement, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for steering the social welfare and health care sector and occupational safety and health, and for defining the performance targets.
Other operators in the administrative branch of the ministry include:
- Alko Oy
- Employment Fund
- Finnish Centre of Pensions
- Social Insurance Institution of Finland Kela
- The Finnish Work Environment Fund
- The Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA)
Boards and committees
There are several advisory committees and boards working under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. All projects, advisory commitees and boards can be searched in:
Social and health services
- Service choices in healtcare PALKO
- The National Advisory Board on Social Welfare and Health Care Ethics ETENE
Promotion of welfare and health
- Advisory Board for Biotechnology
- Board for Gene Technology
- Advisory Committee on Chemicals
- Advisory Board on Romani Affairs
- Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities VANE
Children and young people
Elderly and pensioners
Gender equality
Insurance and income security
- Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board
- Employment Accidents Compensation Board
- Accident Insurance Compensation Board
- Accident Appeal Board
Organisation of the administrative sector of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
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Research and development
Research, development and innovation (RDI) activities within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health are primarily carried out by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (TTL), the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea), the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) and the Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK). Kela and ETK have their own research units.
The Ministry steers the agencies through performance management. THL, TTL and STUK are mainly funded through the state budget.
RDI activities are diverse and funded from multiple sources. Part of the funding is allocated annually, such as funding for university-level health research and social work research. In addition, funding is granted for larger development programmes in line with the Government Programme and as government grants, which can be applied for by various actors, such as wellbeing services counties.