The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 sets out controls governing the employment of children and young persons.
a child as “a person who is under 16 years of age or the school-leaving age, whichever is the higher”;
a young person as “a person who has reached 16 years of age or the school-leaving age (whichever is higher) but is less than 18 years of age”.
Maximum Weekly Working Hours
| 14 Years Old | 15 Years Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Work | 35 Hours | 35 Hours |
| Work Experience | 35 Hours | 40 Hours |
Permitted Working Hours
| Under 16's | 16 & 17 years old | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Morning | After 8.00 a.m. | After 6.00 a.m. |
| Night Work - with school the next morning | Up to 8.00 p.m. | Up to 10.00 p.m. |
| Night Work - with no school the next morning (e.g. holidays, weekends) | Up to 8.00 p.m. | Up to 11.00 p.m.** (and not before 7.00 a.m. the next morning) |
**Note – work beyond 10.00 p.m. requires Ministerial approval by regulation. Specific regulations have been made for Licensed Premises.
Rest Breaks
| Under 16s | 16 & 17 Year Olds | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes break after working | 4 hour | 4½ hours |
| Every 24 hours | 14 hours off | 12 hours off |
| Every 7 days | 2 days off | 2 days off |
Employment of Young Persons in Licensed Premises
A special Code governing employment of 16 and 17 years olds is in place in the Licensed trade. This Code must be signed by the employer, the employee and his/her parent or guardian. Also a copy of the Code is to be shown to the employee and a copy of the employees Birth Certificate is to be produced. The abstract of the 1996 Act to be displayed in a prominent position. The employee to be given Terms of Employment.
Also arrangement to be in place as to how the employer is to get the employee home after work.
Employing Children - Film & Theatre
The employer should apply in writing for a licence at least 21 days before the employment commences.
Employing Children - Film & Theatre - Relevant Forms & Information
| Employment of Children - Licence Application Form | Employment of Children - Licence Application Form |
| A Form to be completed by the Principal of the School where the child is a student, agreeing to his/her absence from school is also required | School Principal Agreement to Absence of Child |
| Note on employing a child by licence in film or tv. | Note on Employing a Child by Licence (Film/TV) |
| Note on employing a child by licence in theatre. | Note on Employing a Child by Licence (Theatre) |
Completed Application Forms should be emailed to licensing@workplacerelations.ie
Breaches of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act
Employers who are found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act can be fined up to (£1,500.00) €1,904.61 and an extra (£250.00)€317.43 a day for a continuing offence.