Children at St. Mark’s

• Parish Child Safeguard Rep:
  Contact 085 – 7678762
  
  Parish Priest: Fr Bill O’Shaughnessy (DLP liaison at parish level) –
  info via office email or phone  stmarksspringfield.org.
  
  
• CSPS Office: Dublin Diocesan Offices, Arran Quay.
• DLP: Andrew Fagan –  andrew.fagan@dublindiocese.ie,
  Phone : 01 836 0314
• Deputy DLP: Deirdre Donnelly –
  deirdre.donnelly@dublindiocese.ie

1. Introduction & Legal Framework
St Mark’s Parish, as part of the Dublin Archdiocese, is committed to providing a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults. Its safeguarding practices are grounded in the Children First Act 2015, the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post‑Primary Schools (2023), and guidelines from the Archdiocese’s Child Safeguarding and Protection Service (CSPS) 

2. Church Safeguarding Structures

• Archdiocesan Oversight: The Dublin CSPS, established in 2003 and expanded in 2016, ensures implementation of safeguarding across all parishes .
• Designated Liaison: Andrew Fagan acts as Director and DLP; Deirdre Donnelly is Deputy DLP. They manage reports and liaise with Tusla, Gardaí, HSE, and pastoral needs csps.dublindiocese.ie
• Local Representatives: Each parish, including St Mark’s Springfield, appoints trained safeguarding officers who support volunteers, report cases, and coordinate with CSPS personnel.

3. Core Policies & Procedures

• Safe Environments: All volunteers, clergy, and staff undergo Garda vetting. Archdiocesan refresher programmes and training are mandatory—covering topics such as sacramental preparation, youth ministry, and general safeguarding .
• Code of Conduct: Parishes enforce clear behavioural standards; anyone working with children must follow rigorous child-first principles and respect children’s rights and dignity .

4. Reporting & Response Mechanisms

• Mandatory Reporting: Under Children First, any suspicion of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual or neglect) must be reported to Tusla by mandated persons. In parallel, the parish notifies CSPS and Gardaí/HSE as needed .
• Archdiocesan Protocols: All allegations against church personnel are forwarded to civil authorities. Accused clergy are immediately removed from ministry and monitored closely.

5. Support & Pastoral Care

• The CSPS offers pastoral outreach and counselling to survivors and their families. Victims are informed of all steps taken and can meet the Archbishop if desired.

6. Training & Vetting

• Comprehensive Training: Parishes participate in CSPS-led sessions—refresher courses via Zoom and in-person, including sacramental prep training csps.dublindiocese.ie.
• Garda Vetting: Over 7,000 individuals across the archdiocese, including parish staff, have been vetted. A local vetting coordinator ensures compliance dublindiocese.ie.

7. Record-Keeping & Confidentiality

• All records of training, vetting, disclosures, and reports are maintained confidentially and securely within the parish and diocesan offices, in line with GDPR and Data Protection Acts .

8. Communication & Policy Review

• St Mark’s regularly circulates safeguarding statements, policies, and contact information through parish bulletins and its notice board.
• The policies are reviewed routinely—following the diocesan cycle—or immediately after any incident, to integrate new best practices or legislative changes.

Key Contacts

• Parish Priest: Fr Bill O’Shaughnessy (DLP liaison at parish level) –
  info via office email or phone stmarksspringfield.org.
  
  
• CSPS Office: Dublin Diocesan Offices, Arran Quay.
• DLP: Andrew Fagan – andrew.fagan@dublindiocese.ie,
  Phone : 01 836 0314
• Deputy DLP: Deirdre Donnelly –
  deirdre.donnelly@dublindiocese.ie