In attendance at the GAA Cúl Camps Partnership with the Department of Education and Youth and the Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) Announcement at Croke Park in Dublin are, back row from left, Games Development Committee Chairperson Micheál Martin, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns, Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD, GAA Director of Games Development Shane Flanagan, and Tusla Education Support Service Director Áine O'Keeffe, with pupils from O'Connell's Primary School, front row from left, Isaiah Ogorro, Ayub Ali, Kaydi Rae Shannon, Ivan Egan, Dezara Grouse and Leroy Ward. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The GAA, in partnership with the Department of Education and Youth and the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), is proud to announce a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting young people and promoting inclusion through sport. As part of the long-standing collaboration with the School Completion Programme, the GAA will provide 1,000 free places in this summer’s Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps for children at risk of educational disadvantage across the island, including children attending schools in the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme.
This announcement marks 10 years of the GAA’s partnership through this initiative, representing a cumulative investment of approximately €1 million in supporting children at risk of educational disadvantage to access fun, safe, and structured sporting experiences.
Speaking on the announcement, GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “At the heart of the GAA are the values of inclusion, teamwork, and a belief in building communities ‘where we all belong’. We are proud to mark ten years of collaboration by continuing to support children attending schools in the DEIS programme through the School Completion Programme. As a community-based organisation, we see this initiative not only as an opportunity to increase participation in areas facing disadvantage and challenge, but also to work hand-in-hand with the Department, TESS, and other key agencies to make a lasting impact on children’s lives through sport.”
This announcement comes at a time of increased national focus on school attendance, following recent statements by the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee and the publication of attendance data for 2022-23 by TESS. The GAA recognises the importance of supporting these efforts.
“Each year, the GAA delivers games-based activities to approximately 65% of all schools on the island. Our coaches work closely with teachers to create enjoyable and meaningful school experiences that encourage children to attend and stay engaged. We strongly believe that sport, and organisations like ours, have a meaningful role to play in supporting the Government’s measures aimed at improving school attendance,” said the GAA President.
Minister McEntee said: “I would like to thank the GAA for their commitment to supporting children and young people across the country through all of their work, but crucially through their increased investment in their vital partnership with the School Completion Programme. Children and young people from across the island will this year benefit from 1,000 Cúl Camps places as part of the programme – an increase of 300 from last year.
“For some children, this may be their first opportunity to try out GAA games. This is an opportunity for them to have fun and make friends in a supportive environment during their school holidays, while picking up skills and habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
Áine O’Keeffe, Director of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), said: “Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps have been an enjoyable feature of summertime for children all over Ireland for 10 years, and the impact these camps have had – not just on children’s appreciation for Gaelic Games, but on their health and wellbeing, learning, and connection to their schools – cannot be overstated. TESS is delighted with the decision to increase the number of sponsored places in Cúl Camps this year for children and young people supported by the TESS School Completion Programme, from 700 as in previous years to 1000. This is a significant and welcomed investment in primary and post-primary children and young people who are at risk of early school leaving.”
The Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are the GAA’s flagship participation programme. In 2024, 142,000 children – which represents 19.5% of primary school aged children in the twenty six counties and the first two years of post-primary children in the six counties - took part in the camps. The programme offers exceptional value for families, averaging just over €4 per hour for five days of activity.
In addition to providing access to sport for thousands of children each summer, the programme serves as a powerful vehicle for inclusion, helping the GAA to grow its games and reach children of all backgrounds.
The GAA looks forward to working in continued partnership with the Department of Education and Youth, TESS, and community stakeholders to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate, thrive, and belong through sport.