My Department's mission is to provide the Government, Taoiseach and Ministers of State with the support, policy advice and information necessary for the effective conduct of Government. By its nature, the work of the Department mainly entails close engagement with other Departments and State agencies, social partnership and other representative groups, the Northern Ireland Executive, Northern Ireland political parties and other civil society groups across the island, international organisations, other Governments etc.
My Department has limited interaction with the general public other than in its reception area, my office, the offices of the Ministers of State assigned to my Department and the Government Press and Information Service. Of the 191 whole time equivalents (wte) employed by my Department at the end of December 2010, 36 (wte) were employed in these areas. In addition, 8 staff from my Department who are assigned to other duties during the week, work on the Saturday tours of Government buildings.