Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
728. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any person-body has oversight over sporting organisations' implementation of Children First guidelines and other Government policy which affects voluntary organisations. [8967/14]
View answerMy Department published its Outline Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan in July 2013 and has established an Oversight Group to develop a Child Protection and Welfare Policy for the Department and its wider sectors. In the case of services provided through the Department's agencies, the principal services that are provided directly to children (i.e. that are not accessible by the general public) are in the area of school transport services provided directly by Bus Éireann or through its contractors, and sporting organisations funded by the Exchequer through the Irish Sports Council. Both organisations have detailed procedures in place to comply with Children First National Guidelines. The Irish Sports Council is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including facilitating standards of good conduct and fair play in competitive or recreational sport through the promulgation of guidelines and codes of practice. The Council's guidance document 'The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland' has been adopted by all National Governing Bodies of Sport. Each National Governing Body is also required to appoint a National Children's Officer to oversee implementation of the code within their sport.
