This Child Protection Statement has been agreed by the Gaelic Athletic Associations (GAA, LGFA, Handball and Odd Games) in accordance with our Code of Conduct (Ages), our policies, procedures and statutory requirements which are binding on all members and unit of our Associations.

 

The main aims of the Gaelic Athletic Associations include the promotion and development of our Gaelic Games and Irish cultural activities among young people and children. Our dedicated volunteers organize and promote the games and related activities at Association, County, Provincial and National levels with the co-operation and support of an equally dedicated cohort of staff committed to safeguarding children and young people in our Association as we trying to create a safe environment for young people in which they can grow and develop.

PRINCIPLES OF PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM HARM

THIS STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IS ESSENTIAL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ACCORDING TO THE LEGISLATION AND AS REQUIRED BY OUR CODE AND RULES. IT IS THE OBJECTIVE THAT ALL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A POSITIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCE AT GAELIC GAMES AND WHEN THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN OUR ACTIVITIES THAT THEY DO SO, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, IN A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT.

 
RISK ASSESSMENT

In preparing this statement, we have assessed the potential for harm to children as they participate in our games and attend our events under the following headings: Association and Coaching Practices; Complaints and Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications and additional heading of General Risk of Debit. To the right is a list of identified risk areas and the list of procedures and policies for these risks.

 
PROCEDURES

Our Child Protection Statement has been prepared in accordance with the statutory requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), the Children Order (NI) 1995, Child Protection Tusla: Guidance on Policy, Procedure and Practice and as required by our Association's rules.

 
AUTHORIZED PERSON
The Mandated Person, who has a legal duty to report harm to children in accordance with the legislation and who has been employed for the purpose of carrying out child welfare and protection functions within our Association is:

CLG: Gearóid Ó Maoilmhichíl     mandatedperson@gaa.ie 
Camógaíocht: Roberta Farrell  mandatedperson@camogie.ie 
Liathróid Láimhe: John Kelly  mandatedperson.handball@gaa.ie 
LGFA: Paula Prunty  mandatedperson@lgfa.ie 

All policies and procedures listed above are available at www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection 
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ENFORCEMENT AND REVIEW

​The Gael Athletic Associations recognize that enforcement is an ongoing process. The Associations are committed to implementing this Child Safeguarding Statement and the accompanying child safeguarding policies and procedures which support our intention to keep children and young people safe from harm while they benefit from our service. This Statement which has been accepted and agreed to by the Executive Committee of our Club will be reviewed by 31 May 2022 or as soon as is practicable after a material change has been made to any matter referred to in the statement.

 

The Club's Children's Officer