asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is an internationally recognised au pair girl charter to regularise and control the working conditions and treatment of such girls throughout the world; the steps his Department take to ensure that Irish girls going to other countries and foreign girls coming to this country are not exploited; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Au Pair Girl Charter.
68.
There is no worldwide au pair girl charter. There is a European Agreement relating to au pair placement drawn up by the Council of Europe in November, 1969, which has since been signed by seven and ratified by four countries, namely, France, Denmark, Norway and Italy.
Irish girls going abroad for au pair placement who consult my Department are advised to insist on a written agreement with their host families before they leave this country. While they are abroad they have of course available to them the protection and care of the local Irish diplomatic mission. Similarly foreign au pair girls coming to this country have the protection of their own diplomatic missions resident here should the occasion arise.