Child Welfare and Protection

The Association and its sister organisations recently launched the online version of Code of Behaviour (Underage). This Code has been agreed between the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, GAA Handball Ireland and GAA Rounders.

The Code replaces all previous Codes and is a mandatory Code of Behaviour for all Gaelic Games Associations in our work with underage players. It is a comprehensive good practice guidance publication and we are anxious that as many players, coaches, parents and other Club personnel have immediate access to its contents.

The Code is also available in disc format (not printed) form the National Children's Office. For more information or a disc, please contact the GAA National Children's Officer, Gearóid Ó Maoilmhichíl at 01-8363222 or nationalchildrensofficer@gaa.ie.

The Gaelic Athletic Association is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all young people who wish to participate in our Gaelic Games and activities. We will take all practicable steps to protect them from discernable forms of abuse - from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and shall respect their rights, wishes and feelings.

We do this by:

• Recognising that all children have the right to be protected from harm.
• Ensuring that all of our coaches and volunteers are carefully recruited and selected and that they accept responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of children in their care.
• Responding swiftly and appropriately to protect the welfare of children who participate in our games and related activities.
• Providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns that they may have. Appointing Children’s Officers in each of our Clubs and at County Board level.
• Appointing a National Children’s Officer to oversee the implementation of good child protection and welfare practices within the Association.
• Appointing a Designated Person in each Club and County who will liaise with the statutory authorities as appropriate.
• Appointing a National Designated Person to assist in the processing of child protection and welfare matters. Ensuring that all allegations of abuse of young people are confidentially dealt with in accordance with the Association's Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse (Fourth Edition 2009) and with statutory guidelines and relevant legislation.
• Reviewing the effectiveness of our Child Protection procedures and policies on an ongoing basis. Ensuring that members, coaches, team mentors, administrators, parents/guardians and spectators sign up to and adhere to our Code of Behaviour.

We attach a link to the Cork County Board "Child Welfare and protection" document,  

https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection/

This link includes the latest;

"Code of behaviour(underage) Booklet"

"Maintaining Appropriate Levels of Behaviour in Our Work with children and Young people"

"Dealing with alleged breaches of the Code of Behaviour(underage)."

"Children First; Information and guidance leaflet"

Eire Og's 2023 Children's Officer is Damian Lordan. 

Should you have Child Welfare concerns his contact details are eireogchildrensofficer@gmail.com