asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange to have a circular covering au pair exchanges circulated to all post-primary schools to inform interested pupils of the hazards of the undertaking and the importance of having pre-travel arrangements drawn up and to give instructions concerning the making of contacts with representatives of the Irish Government if they run into difficulties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - “Au Pair” Exchanges.
71.
Very few complaints in respect of Irish au pair girls abroad come under the notice of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The volume of complaint is so small that there would seem to be no need, at the moment, for such a circular to the post primary schools.
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. Provisions which might suitably be included in an agreement are suggested to them and they are provided with a copy of the model agreement embodied in the European agreement on au pair placement of the Council of Europe.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary issue a statement to that effect so that the public can see it? I appreciate it is a big job to circulate all post primary schools.
Why is the Minister for Foreign Affairs not answering this question?
Because I have been given responsibility for the consular section of the Department. Deputy Gibbon's suggestion might be feasible and I was about to say, in the context of the next question, that something like this might be considered, something which would stop short of issuing a circular.
72.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the charter relating to au pair exchanges has been ratified; if not, why; and when it will be ratified.
The European Agreement on au pair placement has been ratified by four of the 18 member states of the Council of Europe, namely, Denmark, France, Italy and Norway. Ireland has not signed or ratified the agreement.
Before Ireland could sign and ratify the agreement a number of problems would have to be resolved. These involve other Government Departments. as well as Foreign Affairs and have been under consideration inter-departmentally for some time. Signature of the agreement must await the outcome of the deliberations. Ratification should be possible, if and when the agreement is signed.
Is there a possibility that the agreement will be signed in the near future?
I would not like to give that undertaking. The Deputy may be aware that the charter he referred to requires the setting up of a public authority to supervise the operation of au pair girls in this jurisdiction. That is something which would require the consultation of several Departments. The Department and the Government have no objection in principle to the conditions proposed by the charter but the machinery which the enforcement of the charter would need requires consultation between Departments and that is still in progress. There is no objection, in principle, to the adoption and ratification of the charter.
Is the fact that it is being discussed between the Departments making it so difficult to finalise?
The Deputy knows that any matter involving consultation between two or more Departments can be lengthy but in view of the Deputy's concern I will see whether anything is unnecessarily holding up this consultation.