Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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77. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport his position on the absence of mandatory adult safeguarding policies within sports and running clubs (details supplied); if he will confirm if all clubs should be required to have such policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2817/26]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Sport Ireland, as the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland, works with National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to ensure that appropriate safeguarding and athlete welfare policies are put in place by NGBs. It also works with NGBs to ensure mechanisms are in place to appropriately react to and handle complaints or issues when they arise.

Sport Ireland has an extensive suite of guidelines and Codes of Practice for the protection of children in sport, consistent with child protection guidance and legislation. There is regular communication between Sport Ireland and NGBs regarding NGBs' responsibilities in these areas.

Sport Ireland’s Guidance Document for Children and Young People in Sport has been developed to specifically support NGBs and clubs to ensure they can meet their child safeguarding and child protection responsibilities. The document has been prepared in the context of the challenges that NGBs and their clubs face on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that current best practice is followed while also complying with relevant legislation, the Children First Act and Children First Guidance. This is paramount to the successful protection of children and young people in sport.

In August 2023, a new national Code of Conduct template for sporting organisations was launched by Sport Ireland. The Code of Conduct template sets out a set of guidelines and principles that promotes the behaviours and conduct expected from our athletes, coaches, parents/guardians, supporters, referees/officials, and club members.?All NGBs were asked to use the national template Code of Conduct as an opportunity to review their existing policies and procedures for handling code breaches to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved in Irish sport.

Furthermore, Sport Ireland is conducting further research in the area of adult safeguarding which may inform future guidance.

As Minister, I support the implementation of effective safeguarding policies and procedures across the sports sector, while acknowledging that NGBs are independent, autonomous organisations responsible for their own governance including safeguarding procedures and disciplinary and complaints processes.