Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Committee on Disability Matters

Participation in Community Life for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion

2:00 am

Mr. Jimmy D'Arcy:

I am not sure I have the information to respond adequately. Correct me if my understanding of Garda vetting is historical, but the requirement for vetting for each organisation or role is a very significant barrier. I call that out. For our healthy club programme, insurance is a challenge because we are trying to insure activities that do not traditionally fall under the banner of the relationship created in the first place. There are challenges there. Perhaps we need to consider insurance in a different way, based on the space or place. The idea of the GAA club becoming a hub that is more community-based than specifically a sporting place might be considered.