Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 2

Written Answers. - Employment Rights.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

40 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the call made by the Irish executive committee member of the International Au Pair Association (details supplied) for greater regulation of the sector in order to avoid exploitation of au pairs; if she has plans to improve regulation of the sector here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12290/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey):

My Department has no statutory function in relation to the conditions under which au pairs are admitted to Ireland or in regard to the specialist agencies that arrange their placement or the families that act as their hosts. Au pairs are students, not employees. Therefore, they do not come within the scope of my Department's employment rights legislation or work permits system.