Keeping Our Parishes Safe: Safeguarding Training and Responsibilities in the Diocese of Limerick

The Diocese of Limerick continues to strengthen its safeguarding culture across all parishes, with updated training for Parish Safeguarding Representatives, renewed focus on mandatory reporting obligations under the Children First Act 2015, and a commitment to the standards set out in Safeguarding Trust, the national framework for the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is at the heart of parish life in the Diocese of Limerick. It is not a compliance exercise — it is a moral and legal responsibility, and one that every priest, deacon, religious, employee and volunteer shares.

The National Framework: Safeguarding Trust

The Catholic Church in Ireland operates under Safeguarding Trust: A Framework for the Catholic Church in Ireland, developed and overseen by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI). This framework sets out the standards and expectations for every diocese, parish and church organisation, covering child protection, adult safeguarding, training, Garda vetting and responding to concerns.

The Diocese of Limerick is fully committed to implementing the standards within Safeguarding Trust and cooperating fully with the NBSCCCI in its oversight role.

Children First Act 2015 and Mandatory Reporting

All designated persons and mandated persons within the diocese — including clergy, parish employees and certain volunteers — carry legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

Mandated persons are legally required to:

• Report reasonable grounds for concern about a child to Tusla — the Child and Family Agency
• Assist Tusla in any assessment it carries out in relation to that child

Ignorance of these obligations is not a defence. The Diocese of Limerick strongly encourages all involved in ministry and parish life to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the Children First Act and to complete the free online awareness training available at childrenfirst.gov.ie.

Parish Safeguarding Representatives

Every parish in the Diocese of Limerick is supported by a Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR). The PSR is a vital point of contact at local level — a trained, approachable person who helps ensure that safeguarding policies are understood and followed, that concerns are reported appropriately, and that the parish remains a safe environment for all.

If your parish does not currently have a PSR, or if your PSR's training needs to be renewed, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Office.

Garda Vetting

All clergy, staff and volunteers who have access to children or vulnerable adults in the course of their role are required to be Garda vetted in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Vetting must be renewed every three years. The Diocesan Safeguarding Office coordinates vetting for parishes — contact us if you need assistance.

Reporting a Concern

If you have a concern about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult — whether in the present or relating to the past — please do not hesitate to come forward. All reports are treated with seriousness, sensitivity and confidentiality.

You can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Office directly, or report your concern to Tusla or An Garda Síochána. You do not need to have proof — a genuine concern is enough.

John O'Reilly, Director of Safeguarding for the Diocese of Limerick, is available to support anyone who wishes to raise a concern or seek advice:

ds@limerickdiocese.org

The Diocese is committed to listening, to acting, and to continuous improvement in everything it does to protect those in its care.