asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that in certain cases Irish girls who emigrate to the United States to take up positions as domestic servants are being exploited through the excessive charges made to them by the agencies arranging for their employment; if any system of control exists over agencies operating in this country offering to find employment for Irish citizens abroad; if so, what system; and if he will have this whole matter of charges for the finding of employment abroad investigated with a view to preventing such exploitation in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Employment Agencies.
14.
I am not aware of complaints of this kind in recent years but if the Deputy has any concrete information which he will place at my disposal I shall have it investigated.
The only system of control over employment agencies operating in this country is that provided for by section 85 of the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1907, which deals with the prevention of fraud and immorality in the operation of female domestic servants' registries. The provisions of that section have been brought into force in Dublin and Cork.
I am not satisfied of the necessity for investigating the fees charged by American employment agencies generally, but, as I have already indicated, I am ready to consider any evidence of exploitation put before me.