Safety on our Irish Gap Year Programs
Safety is our top priority at Irish Gap Year and we have an excellent, industry-recognized safety record.
Safety on Irish Programs
Ireland is widely regarded as one of the top 20 best countries in the world to live in (ref. OECD report 2014).
Students on our Irish Programs will be living in the small sea-side community of Bundoran in county Donegal which has a virtually non-existent crime rate. However, basic care and vigilance is always recommended but nothing over and above the norm.
Free Time
During free time students may come and go from student housing as they please. We ask that students record where they are going, with whom and when they expect to return in a sign-out book in their house. We require that no student goes alone to pubs and that no student is left behind at a pub during free time.
Students on our Irish program have 24/7 support from the Irish Gap Year team in case of emergency.
Medical Care
There are excellent medical facilities in the town of Bundoran (Bayview Family Practice) and a major regional hospital 30 minutes away (Sligo General Hospital).
There are major hospitals and medical centres throughout the country.
Activity Providers
The activity providers we use are all fully certified and insured activity providers. We do not use any activity provider that cannot produce a copy of their insurance and up to date certification with the relevant governing body.
Students will be briefed by instructors and Program Leaders on activities and instruction is provided to ensure that everyone knows that they are in safe environment.
Travel
Traveling in Ireland is generally very easy, we have a reliable national public transportation network of buses and trains. Irish Gap Year owns and operates our own small fleet of mini-buses and is in full compliance with the Road Safety Authority regulations.
Safety on European Program
The villages, towns and cities that we travel to on our European programs are generally very safe. That said, some of the larger European cities that we will be travelling to require vigilance and awareness.
Students on our European programs will have the 24/7 support of the Irish Gap Year team. Program leaders will stay at the same accommodation as students and will act as guides during program time.
Free Time
During free time students are asked to stay within a defined area in the larger cities and must be back at the student accommodation for curfew. In the smaller towns and villages, students are asked to check in with Program Leaders and return to accommodation for curfew.
Medical Care
The cities that we travel to on our European programs all offer excellent medical care (primary care centres and hospitals). Some of the smaller towns and villages that we travel on our European program are a long distance from major hospitals, however emergency services and local medical are available.
Activity Providers
The activity providers we use are all fully certified and insured activity providers. We do not use any activity provider that cannot produce a copy of their insurance and up to date certification with the relevant governing body.
Students will be briefed by instructors and Program Leaders on activities and instruction is provided to ensure that everyone knows that they are in safe environment.
Travel
The European train and ferry network is well organized and generally very safe. Program Leaders will accompany students on all travels within Europe, ensuring that everyone is one the train, ferry or boat at the required time for departure.
Mental Health
The Irish Gap Year team has much experience working with students with varying mental health needs, however Irish Gap Year programs are non-therapeutic and our team are not mental health professionals.
In the event that a student requires immediate and professional mental support we will arrange for a mental health professional and work with the student, professional and family to ensure that the required support is provided.