asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the statement (details supplied) attributed to an official of the Belgian Embassy in this country regarding the reported exploitation of Irish girls in Brussels.
Written Answers. - Girls Exploitation Report.
302.
I have nothing further to add to the statement attributed in the Press to the Belgian Embassy regarding the alleged exploitation of Irish au pair girls in Brussels. I should like to assure the Deputy that any cases of mistreatment of au pairs which are brought to our attention are thoroughly investigated. Up to now very few such cases have come to our notice.
I would advise Irish girls and their parents that girls going abroad to any country for au pair placement should insist on written agreements with their host families before leaving this country. The agreement should at least cover au pair duties, hours of duty, remuneration, accommodation, travel costs and insurance against sickness, accident and so on. A model agreement is embodied in the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement elaborated by the Council of Europe and a copy of this may be obtained on request from my Department.