About the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence is one of the government departments primarily concerned with ensuring the secure and stable environment necessary for economic growth and development.

The high level goal of the Defence organisation is:

The department is organised in six divisions, each of which is headed by an Assistant Secretary or Director who also oversees governance of the department:

• Defence & Security Policy
• Strategic Change & Capability Development
• Defence Capability People Policy
• Emergency Operations & Infrastructure Oversight
• Corporate Affairs
• Independent Review Group Implementation

Further information on management responsibilities can be found at whodoeswhat.gov.ie.

The Department of Defence operates in a highly regulated environment in discharging its responsibility for the administration and business of raising, training, organisation, maintenance, equipment, management, discipline, regulation and control according to law of the Defence Forces.

The Minister and the department operate under the Ministers and Secretaries Acts, and the Public Service Management Act 1997. The Defence Act 1954 as amended, and Defence Force Regulations (DFRs) made under that Act, also govern the department's work and the work of the Defence Forces. In addition, the military authorities issue Administrative Instructions in relation to personnel and other internal matters.

The Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 provides for the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Subject to the terms of the Act, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces may investigate complaints from serving and former members of the Defence Forces. The Ombudsman submits case reports to the Minister for Defence, along with associated recommendations for his or her determination. The Ombudsman publishes an Annual Report.

Governance/Management Arrangements

Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2023 - 2026

Annual Reports

Organisation and Pay/Grading Structures

Locations and Contact Details for the Organisation

Details of Service Level Agreements/Memoranda of Understanding

Customer Charters

Code of Practice

The Head Office of the Department of Defence is located in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The department also has offices in Galway, Dublin and Tipperary.

Here you will find a list of branches located in the offices of the Department of Defence.

Click the branch name to view details on the workings of that branch:

• Office of Secretary General
• Brussels Office
• Capability Development Branch
• Capability People Policy - People Unit
• Capability (People) Development and Support Branch
• Change Management Office
• Conciliation and Arbitration Branch
• Civil Defence
• Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch
• EU/Industrial Engagement Unit
• External Oversight Body
• Finance Branch
• Facilities Branch
• Human Resources Branch
• International Security and Defence Policy Branch
• Internal Audit Branch
• Inquiries - Statutory and Non-Statutory Unit
• IRG Division
• Legislation Branch
• Litigation Branch
• Maritime Security Branch
• Military Aviation Authority
• National Security and Defence Policy Branch
• National Operations Policy
• Office of Emergency Planning
• Policy & Complaints Reform Unit
• Property Management Branch
• Press and Communications Office
• Procurement & Acquisitions Branch

• Social Media Policy
• Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015
• Corporate Governance Framework
• Procurement
• Customer Service
• Protected Disclosures
• Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Defence
• FOI Disclosure Log
• Defence Forces Pension Information
• Designated Public Officials at the Department of Defence
• Purchase Orders Over €20,000
• Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty