 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2020) |
| Cosaint Shibhialta na hÉireann | |
 | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1951 |
| Jurisdiction |  Ireland |
| Headquarters | Benamore Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland 52°57′30.9″N 7°46′38.6″W / 52.958583°N 7.777389°W |
| Employees | 60 Employees(approx.) 3500 Volunteer Members[1] |
| Minister responsible | |
| Parent department | Department for Defence & Local Authorities |
| Website | civildefence.ie |
Civil Defence Ireland (Irish: Cosaint Shibhialta na hÉireann) is the national civil defence organisation of Ireland. It is a statutory agency of the Irish Department of Defence and is administered by local authorities. It was established in 1951 in response to the threat of nuclear disaster posed by the atomic bomb following World War II. Today it is an emergency response and rescue agency whose purpose is to provide aid, assistance and relief in times of emergency or natural disaster. It may also support primary emergency response agencies namely the Garda Síochána, HSE National Ambulance Service, and local authority fire services when requested. Civil Defence Ireland consists almost entirely of volunteers, numbering 2500 as of May 2023.[2]