Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:16 am
Clubs face shutdown if guidelines not followed
ANY SPORTS club, society or voluntary organisation that works with children faces being shut down if it fails to implement official guidelines on how to handle child-protection concerns.
It is one of a number of measures contained in two new pieces of legislation published yesterday that are likely to have far-reaching implications for how the State, voluntary groups and wider society respond to children at risk.
Details of both Bills were published by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.
Under the Children First Bill, all organisations where children attend without their parents – such as schools, sports clubs or religious groups – will face a legal requirement to ensure they provide a safe environment for children...