The Association’s function is to promote and progress Environmental health has a profession, to heighten the awareness of Environmental Health issues amongst the public and to influence and advise policy decisions with regard to the health protection.

The EHAI administrative structure comprises of four honorary officers, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. A Public Relations Officer provides additional support. They report to a Central Council, which makes all decisions in relation to the running of the Association. The Central Council comprises of two delegates from each of the eight regions into which the Association is divided. Each region also has its own officer board and committees, which deal with issues in their individual regions.

There are just under 400 members, not including retired members, and 12 Fellow members. Students are individual members of the associated student body. The Association currently employs two full time administrative and support staff.

A Baccalaureate is required for employment as an EHO in Ireland. Details of how to qualify as an EHO in the Republic of Ireland are available on our website www.ehoa.ie or directly from our Honorary Secretary.

All members are qualified. Approval of non-national qualifications is at the discretion of the Department of Health and Children. A checklist of the information required by the Department of Health & Children is available from the Honorary Secretary upon request. It is recommended that verification of qualifications should be obtained from the Department of Health & Children before candidates embark on the recruitment and selection processes within the Health Service Executive (HSE). Candidates must pass a local HSE interview before getting a temporary/permanent post.

Only appropriately qualified persons working as Environmental Health Officers are eligible for full membership of the EHOA. Associate membership is available to persons working outside the profession or domiciled in other countries. Fellowship may be awarded on merit or on submission of an acceptable thesis.

Most EHO undertake postgraduate studies. Many postgraduate courses are available including MSc (Environmental Health), MSc (Env.Science) MSc (Food Science), MSc (Health Services Management), Occupational Health and Safety Degree, Diploma or Certificate in Arts and Commerce or Management. Continuous Professional Development is currently provided for within the work environment, and is supplemented by CPD seminars organised by the EHOA.

The Association provides and validates courses in Food Safety for Food Workers, and Managers of service establishments. The Association is currently working with the Food Safety Promotions Board in association with the Department of Education & Science to provide a Food Safety Course for students in Second Level Schools nationwide. It is envisaged that this will result in most students leaving second level with a basic qualification in the Principles and Practices of Food Hygiene.

The EHOA in conjunction with our colleagues in the CIEH (Northern Ireland) organise and run an annual Environmental Health Conference. These conferences include a Trade Exhibition, and although most delegates would be EHAI/CIEH members a small number would be drawn from other Professional Bodies, Elected Representatives and Commercial Enterprise. The EHOA acknowledge the support of the Department of Health & Children in this regard.

The Environmental Health Officers' Association hosted the IFEH 9th World Congress in Environmental Health. This took place in Trinity College Dublin in June 2006.

The EHAI publishes an annual Year Book containing technical articles. The Association has also produced policy documents on Environmental Health Standards for various specialised areas, including Swimming Pools/Spa Pools, Childcare, Nursing Homes, and Private Rented Dwellings. Other Association publications include a number of books on Food Hygiene, the most current of these is ”Food Hygiene for Food Handlers - A Primary Course in Food Hygiene for Food Workers”. Some publications take paid advertisements. All members get a copy of each publication. Free copies may be made available on application to the Honorary Secretary.

Environmental Health in Ireland

National policy and strategy is developed by national government in the Department of Health and Children and Department of Environment, but implemented at the local level by the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities

An Environmental Health Service is provided at a local level by the Health Service Executive through Environmental Health Officers. This service in the main is related to food control, food standards & food safety education, infectious disease control, port health and tobacco control. The food control functions are provided under Service Contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland while the tobacco control functions are done in liaison with the Office of Tobacco control under the National Inspection Programme.

Some EHOs also work on an agency basis for the Local Authorities in the area of built environment, atmospheric pollution, noise control, water quality and environmental issues of public health significance.

The Irish Environmental Protection Agency is the designated competent authority in relation to all environmental issues. They deal with the licensing of industrial plant, co-ordination of environmental monitoring for EU Directive purposes. They also co-ordinate any environmental projects that receive funding from the EU.