asked the Minister for Labour when it is proposed to introduce legislation to provide that the minimum age of admission to employment shall be 15 years or to provide that a higher minimum age of admission to employment shall be fixed with respect to dangerous or unhealthy occupations; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Age Admission.
67.
The raising of the school leaving age to 15 years in 1970 will involve changes in the provisions affecting minimum age of entry to employment in the legislation administered by my Department. A general review of this legislation, which is at present in progress, will cover this point.
The Factories Act, 1955, prohibits the employment of young persons under 18 years of age on certain hazardous processes. Regulations may be made under the Act for safety and health of workers engaged in industrial operations involving risk of bodily injury. Such regulations may include restrictions on employment of young persons on these operations. Under the Act and its associated regulations prohibitions or restrictions apply to employment of young persons in a variety of occupations.
Having regard to the fact that next year is the year in which the school leaving age will be raised to 15 years, would the Minister not consider it advisable to introduce legislation to provide that persons shall not be employed under the age of 15 years before the 15 years limit applies to school leaving and that it would be undesirable to have the age for commencing employment lower than that applicable to school leaving?
I think it would be essential.