Last Updated: May 19, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how The National Social Work Organisation of Ireland CLG trading as Irish Association of Social Workers (“IASW”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and members-only portal.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to ensure websites function correctly, improve security, and analyse website performance.

Cookies may be:

• Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser), or
• Persistent cookies (stored until they expire or are deleted).

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation and security of our website and members portal. They cannot be disabled.

They are used for:

• secure login and authentication,
• maintaining user sessions in the members portal,
• security and fraud prevention,
• load balancing and website stability,
• remembering cookie preferences.

These cookies do not require consent.

2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve functionality, content, and user experience.

They may collect:

• anonymised usage statistics,
• page visits and navigation patterns,
• time spent on pages,
• error and performance data.

Where these cookies are not strictly necessary, they are only used with your consent.

2.3 Security and Anti-Spam Cookies

We use cookies to protect our website from spam, abuse, and automated bot activity.

These cookies are necessary to ensure website security and integrity.

These cookies are considered necessary when used for security and fraud prevention purposes.

3. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services we use to operate our organisation and website securely, including:

• Cloudflare (security and performance services),
• Google reCAPTCHA (spam and abuse protection),
• analytics or user experience tools (such as heatmaps or session analysis tools),
• membership portal or hosting providers.

These third parties may process data in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies.

Where required, these cookies are only activated with your consent.

We ensure that all third-party providers are contractually required to comply with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR.

4. Consent to Cookies

When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie banner allowing you to:

• accept all cookies,
• reject non-essential cookies,
• or manage your preferences.

Non-essential cookies (such as analytics or performance tracking tools) will only be used if you provide consent.

You may withdraw or change your consent at any time via your cookie settings or browser controls.

5. Managing Cookies

You can manage or disable cookies at any time through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• view cookies,
• delete cookies,
• block cookies,
• or restrict cookie usage.

Please note that disabling strictly necessary cookies may affect website functionality, including access to secure member-only areas.

6. Data Protection

Where cookies involve personal data, we process such data in accordance with:

• the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”), and
• applicable Irish data protection law.

For further information, please see our Privacy Policy.

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes.

Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact:

Office Administrator
The National Social Work Organisation of Ireland CLG
T/A Irish Association of Social Workers
St. Andrews Resource Centre
114–116 Pearse Street
Dublin 2:

Office Administrator

Email: adminstrator@iasw.ie