GUI Cohort '24 Child Safeguarding Statement

Growing Up in Ireland, Cohort ’24: Child Safeguarding Statement

1. Name of relevant service: Growing Up in Ireland Survey, Cohort ‘24

2. Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm: Growing Up in Ireland is the national longitudinal study of children and young people, a joint project of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Since 2006 the study has provided Government with an evidence base to make informed policy decisions on a wide range of issues based on data from children and young people living in Ireland.

   In 2024, the CSO will collect data from approximately 12,000 families with 9-month-old infants, i.e. Cohort ’24.  A pilot survey will be conducted in late 2023.

   The CSO is committed to safeguarding children who are involved in the survey and has taken the measures outlined below to ensure, as far as practicable, that children are safe from harm.  The health, safety and protection of children are of paramount importance in all decisions taken.

3. Risk assessment: An assessment of risk has been carried out to identify any potential harm to a child involved in the survey. 
   
   
4. Procedures: This Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding

5. Implementation: It is recognised that implementation is an on-going process. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on 31 January 2024, or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

For queries, please contact Aoife Murphy, aoife.murphy@cso.ie, Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015.