The Department of Health and Children has a library and information unit which is primarily for departmental staff use. The library's collections mainly centre on the areas of health policy and health research. The staff complement includes a librarian and general civil servants.
The position of librarian is currently vacant. The position is usually filled by way of an open recruitment competition held by the Civil Service Commission. General civil servants also serve in the library and are assigned to the unit in the normal manner by the Department's personnel unit.
A detailed study and review of the current service provided by the library and information unit is to be carried out very shortly. It is planned that the findings of the study will inform decisions on the strategic development of these services and assist to determine the appropriate staffing complement including the post of librarian.