Eoin Ryan
Ceist:117 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to work permits and domestic help, that is, au pairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21023/98]
Written Answers. - Work Permits.
It is important to distinguish between the position of "au pairs" and domestic help. An "au pair" is essentially a student — not an employee — who is received by a family and treated as a family member in exchange for certain services, such as a limited amount of light house work or baby-sitting. Accordingly work permits are not required in respect of individuals proposing to act as "au pairs" in this country as such activity is regarded as primarily cultural rather than economic. They would, however, be subject to the usual immigration requirements which are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Persons providing domestic help, however, are employees and as such are protected in this country by all our employment rights legislation. Accordingly, a work permit would be required in respect of a non EEA national whom it is proposed to engage in full-time domestic duties in the State. The EEA comprises the EU countries together with Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland.