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The National Board
Role of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland
The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland incorporating the National Office for Safeguarding Children (collectively the NBSCCCI) was established in 2006 to provide best practice advice and to monitor the safeguarding of children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The NBSCCCI has 3 functions:
- Advice and Support on all aspects of child safeguarding case management within the Catholic Church in Ireland
- Development of policy, procedures and practice on all aspects of child safeguarding within the Catholic Church in Ireland
- Monitor child safeguarding practice of constituent members within the Catholic Church in Ireland
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Keith Holmes
Chariman/National Board Director
A Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, based in the Lucena Clinic in Rathgar, Dublin 6, where he is Lead Clinician and Chair of the Medical Board. He is a former Chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the College of Psychiatry of Ireland.
Mrs Gillian McGrath
National Board Director
Gillian has a background in education and is currently the CEO of the Catholic Education Partnership, due to retire this spring, and a member of the Board of the Education Authority, Northern Ireland.
She was formerly the Director of Education in the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and prior to that she served as a primary school principal and was employed by the Education and Training Inspectorate as an inspector of schools in all sectors and phases.
Gillian currently works as an independent education adviser.
Ms Phil O'Laoide
National Board Director
Phil is a former solicitor and whilst retired from the legal profession she currently sits on interview boards for the Public Appointments Commission and the Legal Aid Board.
Ms. Marie Kennedy
National Board Director
Has a background in social work and has extensive experience in child protection and welfare, with a post graduate diploma in child protection and an MSc in Health Services Management. Through a range of important assignments provides significant and extensive experience in all aspects of child care management. Joined the Board in 2008.
Fr. Joe McDonald
National Board Director
BIO to be supplied.
Catherine Walsh
National Board Director
Catherine is a Tusla Social Worker on the Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure Team, assessing historical abuse allegations and evaluating any current risk to children. She also works with individuals who have convictions or are under Garda investigation to determine their contact with children. She is also a qualified Specialist Interviewer with An Garda Síochána, conducting recorded interviews with children involved in Garda investigations for use in criminal proceedings.
Fr Martin Whelan
National Board Director
Fr Martin is a priest of Galway Diocese, and a canon lawyer. He was ordained in 2009 and has served as the Galway Diocesan Secretary since 2010. In addition to his administrative duties within the diocese, Fr Martin is curate at Galway Cathedral and chaplain to St Mary's College. Fr Martin has also served as a canon lawyer with the Galway Marriage Tribunal.