tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7242156320160533956.post2414590918859495292..comments2024-03-13T08:25:04.859+00:00Comments on Kangaroo Au Pair Blog: Proposed Au Pair bill IrelandKangaroo Au Pairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13296345562628619302noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7242156320160533956.post-42279578833613953122016-07-22T20:43:01.324+01:002016-07-22T20:43:01.324+01:00Hi, thank you for your comment. Yes we supported t...Hi, thank you for your comment. Yes we supported the bill in Ireland. Currently in Ireland there is no legal definition of an au pair. What is happening is that an au pair is falling between 2 stools, that of an au pair and that of a childminder. Large numbers of young women come to Ireland in the wish to be an au pair in a cultural exchange programme. As there is no Irish legislation governing this au pair programme nor is there guidance nor information, for families and au pairs, there is a huge amount of confusion regarding au pairs and what this programme entails. Both au pairs and host families need this. It is very important and only fair. Regarding live-in positions, this is correct under the international and European definition of an au pair , an au pair can only be live-in. What you are referring to when you say 'the needs of modern au pairs and host families' is the childcare needs of families and those of 'nannies'. Nannies are often referred to as live-out au pairs but there is no such thing. These are childminders or nannies who do not live with a family, are employees and are governed by employment law. Nannies provide the childcare needs of a family. An au pair does not do this. An au pair travels to another country to enter into a cultural experience and lives as part of the family and they should not help with childcare for more than 30 hours per week. Our website would continue to allow families and childminders to find eachother following any au pair bill and may also work with agencies so that both a family and an au pair can be supported through this programme. It would ensure fair treatment for everyone involved. I hope this helps to answer your questions. Corinna Duke, Managing director, Kangaroo au pairKangaroo Au Pairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296345562628619302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7242156320160533956.post-9059260686625189732016-07-22T13:26:49.811+01:002016-07-22T13:26:49.811+01:00I know the bill was defeated, but why would you ha...I know the bill was defeated, but why would you have supported it in the first place? Did you read it? It would have only allowed au pairs to be hired through agencies - ie. it would have made your site illegal in Ireland. There were other issue with it too - only live in positions, maximum of 30 hours per week etc. none of that meets the needs of modern au pairs and host families. tardandemotionalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10532792326152789909noreply@blogger.com