Other Types of Service

Public services differ from other services in that public authorities have a responsibility to ensure their supply regardless of whether they are profitable in a free market. In most cases public services do not involve manufacturing of goods.

Public Service versus Civil Service in Ireland

In Ireland public service and the civil service are largely independent of one another. This is often misunderstood because certain State Agencies have civil service status, while others, such as the Health Service Executive, provide services on behalf of the Government but are not the core civil service. Public sector employees such as members of An Garda Siochana and teachers are not considered to be civil servants, but are rather described as public servants.

Web Resources

Health Services in Ireland

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the provision of healthcare providing health and personal social services for everyone living in Ireland, with public funds. The Executive was established by the Health Act, 2004 and came into official operation on January 1, 2005. The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the Executive in Government. See Health Service Executive In addition to the public-sector, there is also a large private healthcare market. See Health Insurance Authority

Education in Ireland

There are three distinct levels of education in the Republic of Ireland:

1. Primary

2. Secondary

3. Higher (often known as third-level) education

Education in Ireland is free at all levels, including university education.

The Department of Education and Science, under the control of the Minister for Education and Science, is in overall control of policy, funding and direction of the educational system in Ireland. See Department of Education and Science.

Other organisations

Waste Services in Ireland

Under the Waste Management Act, (1996), all local authorities in Ireland are obliged to collect or arrange for the collection of the domestic waste in their area. They must also provide or arrange for the provision of facilities for the disposal and recovery of household waste. Household waste will generally be collected once a week, whether by a private operator or a local authority.

If you decide not to make use of organised waste collection, you can dispose of much of your own domestic waste by recycling, home composting and use of civic amenity centres.

All waste collection operators must have a licence or permit to collect, transport and manage the waste that they collect. Both the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are involved in this regulation.

Information about every waste permit granted by a local authority is available to the public. If you have complaints about your waste collection service, you should contact your local authority, which will have a complaint procedure in place.

In some local authority areas, low-income households can avail of a waiver on waste charges by private refuse operators and local authorities. These waivers vary greatly from region to region and in some areas they are not available at all. To find out if your local authority operates this waiver scheme, you should contact them directly.