Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Au pairing was an ad hocsystem for many years. My experience of it over many years was mainly positive as it involved people from other countries, primarily young girls, coming here to learn English while enjoying the benefits of living safely as part of an Irish family where they were included in all family events and holidays. The work involved was certainly not onerous and au pairs were not used as full-time housekeepers or child care workers. In many cases, the relationship between the au pair and the host family continued for years after the au pair's stay ended.

In some cases, agencies were used, while in others the arrangements were made privately, with perhaps a friend of the au pair taking her place. This system had learning English at its core. Au pairs did not come here to earn money as such and this was evident in the type of light work they did. My experience of the au pair system, which is based on what I have been told by people I know who used it, is that au pairs were treated as members of the family, were given their own room in the home and had time to attend classes. They had free time and the arrangement was generally voluntary and private. Unfortunately, the system has changed.

Deputies are familiar with the ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission in the case of a Spanish au pair, which provided that au pairs should be paid at least the minimum wage. We must also take into account the findings of a recent survey by the Migrant Rights Centre, which showed that the au pair system is being exploited. According to the Migrant Rights Centre, the Bill would "create an underclass of migrant domestic worker completely removed from the reach of labour law protections". The results of the centre's survey of more than 500 people were alarming, particularly on the issue of working hours. They indicate that there has been a significant move away from the original idea of what an au pair should do. We are informed that the work done by au pairs far exceeds what is defined as light domestic work and amounts to much more than a few hours of work per week.

The au pair system was underpinned by good intentions but it is being used to provide cheap labour on the pretext of being a cultural exchange.

The fears and concerns of those who support workers in various settings must be taken seriously. Migrant Rights Centre Ireland data suggest the majority of au pairs in Ireland are different now. Many are older than before and many have degrees from universities in their home countries. They are expected to do far more work than under the original system. This work certainly does not come under the definition of light housework by anyone's interpretation.

I do not understand the proposed council which could simply be another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy. We already have the Workplace Relations Commission. Why is it not doing more? It is not being given the resources or funding to do so. I fear that the proposed council could simply become another Private Residential Tenancies Board with limited powers of enforcement.

Anyone coming to this country to work, whatever the setting, should have protection and be free from exploitation. To the extent that such persons do experience exploitation, there must be recourse to a legal system that will protect them. If we are being told that the au pair culture has changed and that there is exploitation, we must take this on board. I do not believe the Bill will do anything in that regard.

It is unfortunate that those families who treat au pairs in a far more positive and inclusive way as part of the family are being blacklisted with those who have been exploiting workers.

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