Management and organisation

Two ministers and one permanent secretary run the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. A State Secretary may assist the ministers in their tasks. Minister of Employment is responsible for matters related to unemployment security and adult education.

There are six departments in the ministry, in charge of the preparation and development of central tasks in healthcare and social welfare, social security, gender equality and occupational health and safety, as well as for the supervision and coordination of the implementation of these tasks. The ministry also includes four separate units.

Departments of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health:

• Department for Steering of Healthcare and Social Welfare
• Department for Insurance and Social Security
• Department for Safety, Security and Health
• Department for Communities and Functional Capacity
• Department for Clients and Services in Healthcare and Social Welfare
• Department for Work and Gender Equality

Separate units:

• Strategic and Financial Management Unit
• Human Resources and Administration Unit
• International Affairs Unit
• Communications Unit

The ministry’s Internal Audit operates directly under the Permanent Secretary.

The ministry employs about 480 people.

There are a number of agencies, institutions and advisory boards and committees in the administrative sector of the ministry.

The two ombudsmen that worked in connection with the ministry, the Ombudsman for Equality and the Ombudsman for Children, were transferred into the administrative sector of the Ministry of Justice at the beginning of 2015.

Organisation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health