Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2017
590. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will legislate to make it mandatory for all sports clubs to have a code of conduct for youth coaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2661/17]
View answerThe public consultation paper issued by my Department last November, in the context of the preparation of a new National Sports Policy, contained a specific section on coaching. Amongst the key questions highlighted for consideration was the means of how best to ensure that sports coaching is as effective as possible at all levels and that coaches are given the necessary support to work with a variety of people, including children, older people and people with disabilities.
I consider that the particular question of whether legislation should be introduced to make it mandatory for all sports clubs to have a code of conduct for youth coaches can best be considered as part of the overall process of concluding the new National Sports Policy. I would welcome the view of Sport Ireland, the Government's agency with responsibility for overseeing sporting National Governing Bodies (NGBs), on the suggestion.
I should also highlight that the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA), under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children, and provides valuable guidelines in matters relating to child protection. Sport Ireland liaises closely with TUSLA and the NGBs on child protection matters.
