FAMILY (in Ireland)- What to expect?

1. First you must complete and return an application form, together with some family photos, a family reference, a “Dear Au pair letter” and registration fee of €50.

2. When you have registered with our agency we will then do our best to find a suitable applicant. Once we find a suitable candidate, we will send you her/his details, references, photos and a “Dear family” letter from the au pair.

If you accept a long term applicant the placement fee is €300 (4 - 6 months) or €600.00 (7 - 12 months) payable when the au pair has booked her/his flight to Ireland. Short term or Summer Placements are a one of fee of €200 (which includes your registration fee of €50.00.)

You also have the option to pay the placement fee via Standing Order or Credit Card Mandate payments at €50.00 per month with no interest charges. Please be aware that you will only pay for the duration of your Au Pair's stay with your family unless you are in breach of contract. If a family is in breach of contract (i.e. mistreating the Au Pair or not following to the rules stated in the Terms & Conditions (attached to Application Form), the full amount of the original application will become immediately due.)

3. A family must help an au pair to settle in, explain their duties and help find English classes in your area. REMEMBER you and your family are strangers to the au pair, and your au pair is away from home, perhaps for the first time. I'm sure your new Au Pair will appreciate your help.

4. Au pairs are in great demand and some register with more than one agency. It is important to make your decision within the stipulated 5 days.

5. In your “Dear au pair” letter please give information about your family, information on children, area you live in, local amenities and what you expect from your au pair.

6. Once you have chosen your Au Pair and the Au Pair has likewise accepted your family, we will send an Invitation Letter to the Au Pair before she books her flights to Ireland. Your full payment fee or Direct Debit will come into action at the end of the month your Au Pair arrives in Ireland.

7. To ensure the safety of your Au Pair please meet her/him at the airport, bus/train station, when she arrives in Ireland.

8. If you specify nationality, age, driving license etc. your choice may be reduced. You are liable for the car insurance if you require your au pair to drive.

Your Au Pair may be new to this country so it is advisable to inform her of places to go and not to go. Provide a bus and dart timetable. Inform them of your local swimming pools, cinemas, dancing, etc. The pocket money described is the minimum accepted, even if your au pair is only doing 15 hours a week, you are still liable for the weekly pay agreed upon.

Standard Au Pair , Au Pair Plus or Parent's Help ?

Standard Au Pair - (36hours: €100 - €150 per week) Standard au pair works 36 hours per week including 2 nights baby-sitting. (Even if you do not need the full 36 hours or baby-sitting duties, the full pocket money is still to be paid.) A Standard Au Pair is a young person who has some baby sitting experience but no qualifications. The Standard Au Pair would need to be advised and guided in the first few months.

Au Pair Plus - (36 hours: €150 - €250 per week) An Au Pair plus will work 36 hours per week including 2 nights baby-sitting. (Even if you do not need the full 36 hours or baby-sitting duties, the full pocket money is still to be paid.) An Au Pair Plus is a young person who has been an Au Pair before and has relevant references. The Au Pair Plus already has the experience of being an Au Pair. Please note Au Pair Plus applicants are very rare as most of the Standard Au Pairs come for the gap year only.

Parent's Help is available to work longer hours and usually is a more mature applicant than your Standard Au Pair or Au Pair Plus. The Parent's Help would also have more child care experience and would expect a slightly higher rate of pay. A mother's help is paid minimum wage by the hour and has to be registered for tax as a normal employee.

Registration & Placement Fees:

Registration Fee	€50.00	This is a 'once of fee' on registration
Placement Fee
Summer Au Pair/ Short Term (1-3 months)	€200.00	This includes the registration fee.
4-6 month Au Pairs	€300.00	Fee is calculated at €50.00 per month.
6-12 month Au Pairs	€600.00	Fee is calculated at €50.00 per month.