Iceland
Authorities and ministries Mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytið, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, is responsible for cultural, research, education and youth policy, among others. The Ministry is also responsible for support for youth organisations, research relating to young people and sports. Heilbrigðisráðuneytið, the Ministry of Health, is responsible for public health, health institutions and hospitals, health insurance and patient rights, among other things. Félagsmálaráðuneytið, the Ministry of Social Affairs, is responsible for issues related to living conditions and rights for persons with disabilities in addition to employment, refugee, migration, family and housing policy. Tryggingastonun, the Social Insurance Administration, is a government authority responsible for, among other things, social security, health and child support schemes. Gæða- og eftirlitsstofnun félagsþjónustu og barnaverndar, the Quality Inspectorate for Social Services and Child Protection, is a government authority with responsibility for inspection of social services and child protection. Réttindagæsla, is a guardian of rights, assigned responsibility for monitoring the status of persons with disabilities and helping them protect their rights in all situations. Barnaverndarstofa, the Government Agency for Child Protection, is an independent institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Agency works with various issues related to the activities of the municipal child protection committees and oversees the running of specialised treatment centres for children. 81
