Central
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for overall EU relations and all development aid
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Economic promotion;
- Trade and industry (mainly a supervisory role);
- Consumer protection; and
- Promotion of effective competition.
- European Social Fund (ESF)
- Unemployment registration and employment services;
- Legislation on various aspects of labour law and basic principles governing workers’ rights and obligations;
- Supervision of the implementation of general labour legislation;
- The Directorate of Labour within the Ministry of Welfare) deals with individual aspects of implementation.
Spatial planning (National Planning Agency)
- Overall control of planning and building under the Planning and Building Act No. 123/2010. According to the act, a national planning policy is to be adopted in 2012 and work to prepare this policy is currently in progress;
- Housing.
Responsible ministries/bodies
The Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of Welfare
Directorate of Labour
National Planning Agency
Local
Municipal authorities are responsible for:
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Economic promotion;
- Trade and industry; and
- Issuing licences for business and commercial life.
Spatial planning
- Regional/spatial planning;
- Town planning;
- The local authorities examine applications, grant building permits and carry out building inspection; and
- Housing: Local authorities are responsible for solving the housing needs of the persons within each Municipality who need assistance with the acquisition of housing. Each local authority shall monitor the needs for housing within the Municipality.
Sources:
Association of Local Authorities, Local governments in Iceland
Ministry of Welfare
The Ministry of the Interior
Directorate of Labour
National Planning Agency
Municipalities Social Services Act, No. 40/1991
Planning and Building Act No. 123/2010.
