The Regional Public Administration Inspectorate (IRAP), established in 1981, under the designation of Regional Administrative Inspectorate (IAR), is the main strategic supervisory, auditing and inspection service of the Regional Government of the Azores under the administration of the Vice-President with the power assigned to the administrative and financial areas. It is responsible for verifying the compliance of the obligations imposed by law to the regional administration and its autonomous entities, to the local authorities of the Region and similar entities. This entity also evaluates and supervises the quality of public services rendered to citizens, namely by public private and cooperative entities, under a concession or association agreement. It may also collaborate in the scope of its activity with the entities and services of the Region's self-government bodies as well as with the Central Administration, as determined by the Vice-President.

In this context, IRAP carries out inspections, audits, investigations, inquiries, simple enquire procedures and the conduct of disciplinary proceedings. Additionally, it is responsible for studying and proposing measures intended to improve the efficiency of the services under its intervention as well as collaborating with other supervisory services.

The IRAP encompasses, by law, the Internal Supervisory System of State Financial Administration and the Regional Inspector is a member of its Coordinating Council.

The IRAP is headquartered in Angra do Heroísmo and carries out its action throughout the regional territory and over the regional public services operating outside the archipelago.

This entity is headed by a Regional Inspector, who is assisted by a Regional Deputy Inspector. It comprises an inspection and auditing body as well as an administrative support unit.