Ministry of Social Affairs and Culture

The Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for social policy, family law, gender equality and housing policy.

The Ministry prepares legislation concerning the state pension and a range of disability and ill health benefits. The Ministry makes policies encouraging disabled people and those with ill health to work and be independent, as well as understanding and dealing with the causes of poverty.

The Ministry is also responsible for child welfare and making sure that Faroes legislation and policies are according to the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

The Ministry is responsible of the area of family laws, which includes marriage, legal separation and divorce, custody, the child’s place of residence, child and spousal maintenance and adoption.

Moreover, the Ministry has stated an Official Housing Policy, and provides and support building housing for people with special needs.

The Ministry of Social Affairs provides welfare services especially though Almannaverkið (the Social Office), www.av.fo, Familjufyrisitingin (the Family Administration) www.famf.fo, as well as through Sjóndepilin (Centre for blind and visually handicapped persons) www.sjondepilin.fo and Dugni (Rehabilitation Centre) www.dugni.fo.

The Ministry is moreover responsible for gender equality policy and the gender equality law, which object is to eradicate all discrimination based on gender.

The Ministry also financially supports numerous voluntary and non-profit organizations, who provide different services.

The Ministry of Social Affairs participates in the Nordic Council of Ministers for Health and Social Affairs. The co-operation focuses on removal of barriers to ensure free movement in the Nordic Region, to develop the Nordic welfare states in relation to new challenges from EU and globally, to develop the Nordic co-operation with its immediate territories, and exchanging data and experiences on the Health and Social Area. The Ministry of Social Affairs also participates in the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Gender Equality, as well as the Ministry participates in the Nordic Building and Housing Committee.

Address:

Almannamálaráðið

Ministry of Social Affairs

Eirargarður 2

FO-100 Tórshavn Faroe Islands Phone +298 30 40 00 *  Email: amr@amr.fo

Office hours:

Monday-Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm