Statutes of the Ministry of Finance

(1) The Ministry of Finance (hereinafter ministry) is a governmental authority which performs the functions arising from law and assigned by the Government of the Republic on the basis of law in the areas provided by subsection 1 of § 65 of the Government of the Republic Act.

(2) In the performance of its functions, the ministry represents the state.

The ministry is accountable to the Government of the Republic which directs and co-ordinates its activities and exercises supervisory control thereover.

(1) The ministry has a seal bearing the small national coat of arms and blank document forms with its name, the design element of which is the image of the small national coat of arms.

(2) Departments of the ministry may have their own letterhead and seal if prescribed so in the statutes of the department.

The seat of the ministry is in Tallinn.

[RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

(1) The main functions of the ministry include the advising of the Government of the Republic on the matters of budget, taxation, macroeconomics, financial and administrative policies, making of proposals and development and implementation of policies within the limits of competence granted thereto.

[RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

(2) The ministry performs the functions set out in subsection 1 and other functions assigned thereto by Acts, resolutions of the Riigikogu, decrees of the President of the Republic and by the Government of the Republic, proceeding from the strategic objectives within the area of government of the ministry set out in the strategic development documents.

[RT I, 13.02.2020, 1 – entry into force 01.03.2020]

(1) The area of government of the ministry includes the planning and implementation of the fiscal, resource management, tax, customs and financial policies of the state, economic analyses and forecasts, advising and co-ordination on the matters of state aid, co-ordination of accounting, auditing, official statistics, public service and personnel policy of the state, state assets and public procurements, planning and co-ordination of public administration, management of public cash flows, organisation of the use of external funds, administration of loans and state guarantees issued by the state, and preparation of respective draft legislation.

[RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

(2) The competence of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry regarding the functions in the area of activity of the ministry is provided in the statutes of these authorities.

[RT I, 26.09.2017, 8 – entry into force 01.01.2018]

(1) The Tax and Customs Board, Statistics Estonia, State Shared Service Centre and Financial Intelligence Unit are governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry.

[RT I, 25.11.2020, 3 – entry into force 01.01.2021]

(2) The Information Technology Centre of the Ministry of Finance is a state authority administered by the ministry.

[RT I, 26.09.2017, 8 – entry into force 01.01.2018]

(3) The Public Procurement Review Committee is an authority of the ministry which has the task of hearing requests for review and requests for compensation of damage pursuant to the procedure provided in the Public Procurement Act.

The minister manages the ministry and organises the matters within the area of government of the ministry within the limits of competence and area of responsibility determined by the order of the Prime Minister specified in subsection 2 of § 3 of the Government of the Republic Act.

[RT I, 18.03.2015, 3 – entry into force 21.03.2015]

The minister

1) [repealed – RT I, 18.03.2015, 3 – entry into force 21.03.2015]

2) is responsible as the head of the ministry for the implementation of the Constitution, other Acts regulating the area of government of the ministry, resolutions of the Riigikogu, decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic, and regulations and orders of the Government of the Republic;

3) decides on the matters within the area of government of the ministry, unless the deciding on these matters is assigned, by an Act or a regulation of the Government of the Republic, to subordinate administrative agencies, officials or employees;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

4) represents the ministry and grants authorisations for the representation of the ministry;

5) represents the state within the area of government of the ministry in judicial proceedings, may grant general and special authorisations for the representation of the state in court, and has, within the area of government of the ministry, the right to authorise a contractual representative of the state in misdemeanour, civil, administrative and criminal proceedings;

6) is responsible for the implementation of the European Union law within the area of government of the ministry;

7) is responsible for the development of the positions of Estonia in the decision-making process of the European Union and represents Estonia in the Council of the European Union in the matters within the area of government of the ministry;

8) organises the representation of Estonia in working groups of the Council of the European Union and in the committees, working groups and expert meetings of the European Commission in the matters within the area of government of the ministry;

9) appoints the representative of Estonia or nominates candidates to the European Union institutions, agencies and bodies according to the area of government of the ministry unless it is placed within the competence of the Government of the Republic;

10) exercises supervisory control pursuant to the procedure provided in law over the lawfulness and expedience of the activities of the structural units of the ministry, the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry, the state authorities administered by the ministry and the officials thereof and, if necessary, assigns the task of organising supervisory control over the acts of officials of the ministry to the secretary general of the ministry;

11) ensures the implementation of the internal control system and the organisation of the professional activity of an internal auditor in the ministry, the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry;

12) on the proposal of the secretary general, appoints to and releases from office the deputy secretaries general of the ministry and directors general and heads of the governmental authorities specified in subsection 1 of § 7, unless otherwise provided in law; appoints to and releases from office the heads of departments of the ministry, except for the heads of departments with whom an employment contract is entered into by the secretary general, or authorises the secretary general for this purpose;

[RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

13) on the proposal of the secretary general, enters into, amends or cancels employment contracts with the heads of the state authorities administered by the ministry and cautions them in the event of violation of their obligations;

14) appoints to and releases from office advisers directly subordinate to the minister or enters into and terminates employment contracts with them or authorises the secretary general to do this;

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

15) on the proposal of the secretary general, approves the composition of staff positions of the ministry and the statutes of structural units or authorises the secretary general to approve these;

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

15¹) approves the salary guide of the ministry;

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

16) on the proposal of the secretary general, approves the programmes or parts of the programmes within the meaning of the State Budget Act to which the ministry contributes;

[RT I, 13.02.2020, 1 – entry into force 01.03.2020]

17) on the proposal of the secretary general, approves the statutes, salary guides and compositions of staff positions of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry or authorises the head of the governmental authority to approve the composition of staff positions;

[RT I, 25.11.2020, 3 – entry into force 01.01.2021]

18) on the proposal of the secretary general, adopts resolutions on the establishment of state authorities administered by the ministry, approves their statutes and compositions of staff positions or authorises the head of the authority to approve the composition of staff positions;

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

19) determines the extent of and procedure for exercising supervisory control over the directors general and heads of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry;

[RT I, 25.11.2020, 3 – entry into force 01.01.2021]

20) makes proposals to the Government of the Republic on the draft budget strategy of the area of government of the ministry, decides on the use of budget funds and is responsible for the purposeful and expedient implementation of the budget and for the purposeful use of the European Union support and foreign aid;

[RT I, 13.02.2020, 1 – entry into force 01.03.2020]

21) approves the budgets of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry on the basis of the State Budget Act and supervises the implementation thereof;

22) decides on the matters related to the state assets administered by the ministry;

23) decides on the organisation of public procurements for the acquisition of assets or ordering of services required for the performance of the functions of the ministry and authorises the secretary general or other public servants to perform acts related to public procurements;

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

24) [repealed – RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

25) [repealed – RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

26) enters into contracts or authorises the secretary general or other persons to do so;

26¹) [repealed – RT I, 26.09.2017, 8 – entry into force 01.01.2018]

26²) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

27) performs other duties assigned to him or her by law, a regulation or order of the Government of the Republic or an order of the Prime Minister.

(1) Upon management of the ministry and in order to organise the activities of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry, the minister issues regulations and directives as well as oral and written service-related orders on the basis of law.

(2) Regulations, directives and written orders of the minister are drafted and registered in accordance with the records management procedure of the ministry.

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

The secretary general manages the work of structural units of the ministry, co-ordinates the activities of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry and organises the operations of the ministry.

The secretary general

1) directly manages the work of deputy secretaries general and departments as well as advisers directly subordinate to the secretary general and, via the deputy secretaries general, the work of other structural units of the ministry;

2) co-ordinates the activities of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry and makes proposals to the minister on their operation and organisation of work;

3) co-ordinates the drafting of programmes within the meaning of the State Budget Act and prepares the draft budget strategy in the area of government of the ministry;

[RT I, 13.02.2020, 1 – entry into force 01.03.2020]

4) disposes of the budget funds of the ministry within the budget of the area of government approved by the minister and is responsible for the accurate and expedient implementation of the budget and for the efficient functioning of the ministry;

5) appoints to and releases from office officials who are on the staff of the ministry, except those who are appointed to and released from office by the minister;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

6) enters into, amends and terminates employment contracts with the employees on the staff of the ministry, including heads of departments working on the basis of employment contracts as well as deputy heads and advisers outside the structural units;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

7) approves the job descriptions of the officials appointed to office by him or her in accordance with the statutes of the structural units and proposals made by the heads of the structural units;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

8) imposes disciplinary penalties on or cautions the officials appointed to office by him or her and the employees working on the basis of employment contracts;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

9) reports to the minister concerning the work of the deputy secretaries general and departments of the ministry;

10) demands from the heads of the structural units of the ministry and the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the minister that they report on their activities;

11) [repealed – RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

12) makes proposals to the minister on the administration of state assets and organises the administration of state assets within the limits of authority granted by the minister;

13) organises public procurements and enters into contracts within the limits of authority granted by the minister;

14) determines the organisation of work of the ministry;

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

15) organises the operation of the ministry;

[RT I, 09.10.2012, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2013]

16) represents the ministry within the limits of his or her competence and the authority granted by the minister;

17) signs or superscribes documents in accordance with the legislation, the records management procedure of the ministry and the authority granted to him or her;

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

18) performs other duties assigned to him or her by law or a regulation or order of the Government of the Republic, and by the minister;

19) is responsible for the lawful, accurate and timely performance of the duties assigned to him or her.

(1) The secretary general issues, within the competence prescribed in law and the statutes of the ministry, directives for the co-ordination and organisation of the activities of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry, for the appointment to and release from office of officials of the ministry, for the management and co-ordination of the work of structural units and for the organisation of operation of the ministry, unless this has been provided by the legislation with higher authority than the directive of the secretary general.

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

(2) Upon management of deputy secretaries general and structural units and co-ordination and organisation of the activities of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry, the secretary general issues oral and written service-related orders to the deputy secretaries general and the heads of the structural units and the heads of the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry.

(3) Directives and written orders of the secretary general are drafted and registered pursuant to the records management procedure of the ministry.

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

(1) In the absence of the secretary general, the duties of the secretary general are assigned by the minister to one of the deputy secretaries general.

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

(2) In the absence of the deputy secretaries general, the duties of the secretary general are assigned by the minister to one of the heads of department.

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

[RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

(1) The staff of the ministry includes up to three deputy secretaries general.

[RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

(2) A deputy secretary general

1) organises, via the advisers and heads of departments directly subordinate to him or her, the work of the departments subordinate to him or her;

[RT I, 18.09.2019, 1 – entry into force 23.09.2019]

2) organises the development of draft legislation for the regulation of the area for which he or she is responsible, including ensures the harmonisation of the legislation of the area of government of the ministry with the legislation of the European Union;

3) organises the development, approval and submission for decision of the draft positions to be presented for participating in the decision-making process of the European Union in the area for which he or she is responsible;

4) organises the expression of opinions by the departments in his or her sphere of responsibility on the draft legislation sent to the ministry for approval;

5) co-ordinates the development and implementation of the strategic development documents in the area for which he or she is responsible in line with other development plans and strategic documents related to the area;

[RT I, 13.02.2020, 1 – entry into force 01.03.2020]

6) co-ordinates, in the area for which he or she is responsible, the activities between the departments of the ministry and a governmental authority within the area of government of the ministry or a state authority administered by the ministry, organises supervisory control and makes proposals to the secretary general and the minister on the structure, organisation of work, composition of staff positions, operation, etc., of these authorities;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

7) makes proposals to the secretary general on the preparation of the budget of the ministry, the use of budget funds and the matters provided in clauses 6–8 of § 12 of this Regulation;

8) disposes of the budget funds of the ministry in the area for which he or she is responsible within the limits of authority granted by the minister and is responsible for the accurate and expedient implementation of the budget within the limits of his or her competence and the granted authority;

9) makes proposals in the process of preparing the programmes within the meaning of the State Budget Act and the action plan of the ministry, monitors adherence thereto by the departments subordinate to him or her and reports thereon to the secretary general and the minister;

[RT I, 13.02.2020, 1 – entry into force 01.03.2020]

10) makes proposals on the amendment of the statutes of the ministry and the statutes of its structural units;

11) represents the ministry within the limits of the authority granted by the minister;

12) signs or superscribes documents in the area for which he or she is responsible in accordance with the statutes, the records management procedure of the ministry and the authority granted to him or her;

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

13) monitors the performance of obligations of the officials and employees subordinate to him or her;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

14) makes proposals to the secretary general on promoting the officials and employees directly subordinate to him or her and imposing disciplinary punishments on or cautioning of them;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

15) performs other duties assigned to him or her by law or a regulation or order of the Government of the Republic, or by the minister or secretary general;

16) is responsible for the lawful, accurate and timely performance of the duties assigned to him or her.

(1) In the performance of his or her duties, the deputy secretary general gives oral and written service-related orders to the heads of departments and advisers directly subordinate to him or her.

[RT I, 18.09.2019, 1 – entry into force 23.09.2019]

(2) Written orders of the deputy secretary general are drafted and registered pursuant to the records management procedure of the ministry.

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

In the absence of a deputy secretary general, the minister assigns his or her duties to another deputy secretary general or a head of department.

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

A head of department

1) manages the work of the department and ensures the performance of the functions assigned to the department;

2) complies with the service-related orders given to him or her;

3) gives instructions and orders to the officials and employees subordinate to him or her;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

4) monitors the performance of obligations of the officials and employees subordinate to him or her;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

5) signs or superscribes documents prepared in the department in accordance with the statutes of the department and the records management procedure of the ministry;

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

6) represents the department in the performance of its functions and gives opinions and approvals on behalf of the department on the matters within the competence of the department;

[RT I, 05.07.2017, 1 – entry into force 01.08.2017]

7) makes proposals to the deputy secretary general, secretary general or minister on the amendment of the structure, staff composition or organisation of work of the department, determination of salaries of officials and employees and imposition of disciplinary penalties on or cautioning of them;

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

8) makes proposals to the deputy secretary general, secretary general or minister on the establishment of committees for resolving matters concerning the functions of the department;

9) signs, according to the statutes of the department, letters of informative content by which no financial or other obligations are assumed and no rights are granted to and no obligations are imposed on the persons outside the ministry, unless otherwise prescribed by legislation;

10) is responsible for the lawful, accurate and timely performance of the duties assigned to him or her and the functions assigned to the department;

11) performs other duties assigned by the minister, secretary general or the corresponding deputy secretary general.

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.07.2017, 1 – entry into force 01.08.2017]

[Repealed – RT I, 05.07.2017, 1 – entry into force 01.08.2017]

The departments of the ministry and their main functions are the following

1) the Budget Development Department which co-ordinates the implementation of development projects in the area of fiscal policy, prepares and ensures the implementation of research and training plans in the area;

2) the European Union and International Affairs Department which co-ordinates the activities of the ministry and its area of government in the European Union decision-making process, participation in international financial institutions and international co-operation;

3) [repealed – RT I, 09.03.2023, 1 – entry into force 01.04.2023]

4) the Financial Control Department which audits the activities of authorities of executive power and, if necessary, other persons financed from the state budget and persons granting and using the European Union support and foreign aid, organises evaluation in the area of professional activities of internal auditors or organisation thereof and performs the functions of an official co-operation partner of the European Anti-Fraud Office;

5) the Financial Services Policy Department which develops and co-ordinates the financial sector policy, including prepares draft legislation and co-ordinates their implementation in the areas of financial supervision, financial stability, improvement of financial literacy, banking and insurance and other financial services, including functioning of infrastructures related to financial markets, and pension and other social insurance schemes involving the financial sector;

6) the Fiscal Policy Department which prepares macroeconomic and public finance forecasts, prepares economic and fiscal policy decisions of the government, positions of Estonia for participating in the process of co-ordinating economic and fiscal policies of the European Union and in the budgetary process of the European Union and prepares corresponding strategy documents, including the stability programme, as well as organises and co-ordinates the performance of the obligations of Estonia as regards the own funds payable to the general budget of the European Communities;

7) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

8) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

9) the Public Relations Department which informs the public about the activities of the ministry and co-ordinates communications between the ministry and the public and internal communications activities;

10) the Tax and Customs Policy Department which develops policies in the areas of taxation and direct and indirect taxes, and customs policy, prepares draft legislation and other relevant documents in the areas of taxes, excise duties, tax proceedings, customs and state fees, prepares and negotiates international tax treaties and co-ordinates their implementation;

11) the Human Resources and Legal Department which co-ordinates the development of staffing and training policies based on the future developments of the ministry and the implementation of such policies in the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry, organises staff accounting of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry and processes personal data related thereto; co-ordinates the legislative drafting in the ministry, the use of uniform principles, terminology and methods in legislative drafting, ensures the interrelation of developed draft legislation and their compliance with the Constitution and other Acts, and provision of legal advice to the ministry, and organises the resolution of challenges and representation of the legal interests of the ministry;

12) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2022, 2 – entry into force 01.09.2022]

13) the Financial Information and Intelligence Policy Department which develops policy, prepares draft legislation and co-ordinates the implementation thereof in the areas of accounting, auditing, organisation of gambling and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, organises supervision over internal and sworn auditors and associations of sworn auditors and co-ordinates the organisation of the professional activities of internal auditors in the authorities of executive power;

13¹) the State Stakeholding and Public Procurement Department which develops public procurement and state stakeholding policy, prepares draft legislation, advises persons and institutions and co-ordinates the activities of state authorities in the areas of public procurements and state aid, organises the maintenance of the register of state aid and de minimis aid and the protection of state interests in legal persons in private law with state participation and legal persons in public law, analyses and monitors the functioning of the public procurement system, exercises state and administrative supervision over the organisation of public procurements, applies enforcement powers of the state pursuant to the procedure and to the extent provided in the Public Procurement Act and acts as the extrajudicial body conducting proceedings on misdemeanours in the events provided in the Public Procurement Act;

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

14) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

15) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2022, 2 – entry into force 01.09.2022]

16) the State Budget Department which organises and co-ordinates the financial management of the state and the preparation of the state budget and state budget strategy, including their underlying programmes, and develops draft legislation in these areas; monitors and evaluates the use of the state budget funds and state resources, organises reporting under strategic development documents in conformity with the strategic management framework; plans, monitors and evaluates the use of European Union funds and other external support and develops draft national legislation in this area, as well as prepares and represents the positions of the Estonia upon developing the policy regulating the grant of external support and in the negotiations on draft legislation;

17) the Public Administration Department which develops policy and prepares draft legislation in the areas of public service development, human resources management of state authorities, organisation of public administration, administration of state assets, real estate policy of the state, ownership reform, implementation of internal control system of authorities of executive power and official statistics, and co-ordinates implementation thereof and the activities of the corresponding areas, organises account-keeping of state real estate, supervises over local governments in the area of return of and compensation for property, and determines the terms for proceedings in the area of ownership reform;

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

18) [repealed – RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

19) the State Treasury Department which organises cash services of the state budget, the management of state cash flows, investment of state money, acquisition of external funds for the state by organising issues of debt instruments, borrowing or other transactions, keeps and invests the money of other persons on the basis of law, issues loans and exercises supervision over issued loans and performance of agreements relating to state guarantees and keeps relevant accounts;

20) [repealed – RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 01.01.2024]

20¹) [repealed – RT I, 28.06.2023, 3 – entry into force 01.07.2023]

21) the Internal Audit Department which performs the tasks related to the professional activities of internal auditors in the ministry, the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry, the state authorities administered by the ministry and other institutions and persons if such obligation arises from the legislation or contracts, evaluates and analyses the functioning of internal control systems in the ministry and in the area of government as a whole, makes proposals on improvement of the internal control system for the purpose of facilitating the enhancement of activities of the ministry and the institutions within its area of government and the achievement of objectives;

21¹) the Strategy and Finance Department which is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the operating model of information and communications technology of the ministry and its area of government and for the development and functioning of data management principles and information security policy, co-ordinates the monitoring and evaluation of services, including information and communications technology services, of the ministry, preparation of strategic documents and their implementing documents, budgeting of the ministry, monitoring of implementation of the budget, research and development activities, and organises co-operation between the ministry and the Information Technology Centre of the Ministry of Finance;

[RT I, 09.03.2023, 1 – entry into force 01.04.2023]

22) the Joint Administrative Department which organises, on the basis of an agreement entered into between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Climate, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture and the Ministry of Social Affairs and to the extent set out therein, the administration of state assets under the administration of the corresponding ministries and the acquisition of immovables in public interest, participates in spatial planning proceedings, organises the management of the working environment and services related to the common use of the joint ministry building, ensures the conformity of the legislation of internal or specific application and agreements of the ministries with the legislation and the resolution of disputes arising from the agreement, and provision of legal advice on the matters within the competence of the department, organises the records management of the ministries and development thereof, and maintains archives of the ministries and performs the functions of the office of the Public Procurement Review Committee.

[RT I, 31.10.2023, 4 – entry into force 03.11.2023]

(1) The detailed functions, rights and obligations of the departments are determined in their statutes.

(2) A department of the ministry may include divisions according to the statutes of the department. The functions and competence of divisions are determined in the statutes of the department approved by the minister. A department may include officials and employees who do not belong to any of the divisions, who are directly subordinate to the head of department and whose duties are determined by the statutes of the department and the job description.

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

(3) The rights and obligations of deputy heads of department or heads of divisions within departments are prescribed in the statutes of the department.

The structure of the ministry may include advisers whose duties and subordination are determined in the job descriptions approved by the person entitled to appoint advisers.

[RT I, 10.07.2015, 1 – entry into force 01.09.2015]

(1) The minister may establish in the area of government of the ministry permanent or temporary advisory committees, councils and working groups (hereinafter committees) for the performance of the functions within the competence of the ministry.

(2) The secretary general may establish temporary committees for the co-ordination of work of the structural units of the ministry, the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry.

(3) Committees are established by a directive of the minister or the secretary general, determining the functions, chairperson and members of the committee, the terms for the performance of the functions and the servicing structural unit.

(4) If the chairperson of a committee is a person from outside the ministry, an official or employee belonging to the management of the ministry or a head of department is appointed as the person responsible for the work of the committee.

[RT I, 29.05.2013, 13 – entry into force 01.06.2013]

(5) The structural unit servicing a committee ensures the operation of the committee and the taking of the minutes of meetings of the committee.

(6) Persons who are not in the state public service may be included in the work of a committee with their consent.

[RT I, 05.10.2021, 6 – entry into force 01.01.2022]

(7) Heads of departments are required to release the members of a committee from the performance of their duties for the duration of meetings of the committee, unless this harms the performance of the main functions of the department.

(8) The chairperson of a committee reports to the minister or the secretary general on the performance of the functions of the committee, unless otherwise specified upon the establishment of the committee.

(9) A committee has the right to request data and documents necessary for work from the structural units of the ministry, the governmental authorities within the area of government of the ministry and the state authorities administered by the ministry.

(1) The provisions of § 33 of this Regulation extend to other committees established on the basis of law, unless otherwise provided by law and the legislation established on the basis thereof.

(2) To organise the operation of government committees serviced by the ministry, the minister to whose area of government the function assigned to the committee belongs determines the relevant structural unit.

[Omitted from this text.]

This Regulation enters into force on 1 January 2012.