You are a child until the age of 18 years. However, there are certain rules that children under 18 years of age achieve privileges which normally subjected to adults (e.g. the right to marry).
Children and Youth Protection in Ireland
- Up to which age is one regarded as a child and young person respectively?
- Are children/teens allowed to stay in public places?
- Are children/teens allowed to stay in restaurants or dance halls / ballrooms?
- Are children/teens allowed to stay in night clubs, bars, casinos, places for gambling etc.?
- Is it allowed to sell spirits to children/teens?
- Which restrictions are there for children/teens to visit public film screenings?
- Are children/teens allowed to smoke in public?
- Is it allowed for children/teens to go to internet café?
- Which restrictions are there about carrying knifes, martial arts equipment, weapons?
- Which regulations are there concerning sexual relations with children/teens?
- Which restrictions are there if foreign young people want to work temporarily?
- To which institutions can children/teens turn to if they need help?
- Useful internet sites about youth protection
- More information
There is no legislation. Nevertheless, minors should not be attract attention because of disturbance of the peace.
In addition, minors must not be drunk in public (Criminal Justice Act [Public Order] 1994).
If an unaccompanied child is in a public place in danger, the health authority can intervene (Child Care Act 1991).
Restaurants:
They are allowed to stay in restaurants until 9 pm when accompanied by their parents or legal guardian, with exception cases of private events between 15 and 17 years old young persons.
Dance Halls:
The acess depends on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Bars, Clubs:
Most clubs have their own rules preventing anyone under the age of 18 from entering.
Harmfull Places:
There is no legislation.
Places for gambling:
According to the bet Act of 1931, is betting prohibited for persons under 18 years of years. There is no legislation which prohibits children the access to gambling halls. The owners have their own rules preventing anyone under the age of 18 from entering.
Selling alcohol to minors is an offense. No distinction is made concerning the strength of alcoholic beverages. Children may drink alcohol in home if they are with their parents.
There are different levels:
- G general provided for pupils
- PG public general
- 12a over 12 years. Among 12-year old will be admitted when accompanied by adults.
- 15a over 15 years. Among 15 year old will be admitted when accompanied by adults.
- 16 over 16 years
- 18 from 18 years
It is prohibited to sell tobacco to anyone less than 18 years of the age. Smoking in public places (e.g. pubs, restaurants, workplace etc.) is restricted for everybody.
There is no legislation. The owners have their own rules preventing anyone under 18 years of age from entering.
According to the firearms Act of 1925, as amended in 1964, it is prohibited to possess a firearms certificate for anyone under 18 years of age. Firearms are all lethal weapons, from which a shot, bullet or other projectiles can be fired (including air guns and crossbows). Carrying a knife is a criminal offense.
The age of consent for sexual relations is 17. Everything else is child abuse and will be punished.
There are no restrictions for EU citizens (except citizens of Romania and Bulgaria).
More information see: http://www.entemp.ie/labour/workpermits/bulgariaromania.htm
Non-EU citizens require a labour permit: http://www.entemp.ie/labour/workpermits/bulgariaromania.htm
Youth may work starting from 16 years from 6.00 to 22,00 o'clock and maximally 40 hours per week. „Light work“ is permitted for 14 and 15 years old youth.
“Working Holidays” are allowed.
The Children's Rights Alliance in association with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties has published Know Your Rights: The Rights of Children and Young People.
Children's Rights Alliance
7 Red Cow Lane
Smithfield
Dublin 7
D07 XN29
Tel: +353 (0)1 662 9400
Fax: +353 (0)1 662 9355
Homepage: https://www.childrensrights.ie/
Email: info@cra.iol.ie
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC): www.ispcc.ie
Childline www.childline.ie
The Samaritans www.samaritans.ie
German Embassy
31 Trimleston Avenue
Booterstown
Co. Dublin
Phone:+353 (0)1 269 3011
fax:+353 (0)1 269 3946
emergency phone: 353 (0)87 221 1382
see: http://www.dublin.diplo.de/Vertretung/dublin/en/Startseite.html
Department of Health and Children www.dohc.ie
Citizens Information www.citizensinformation.ie
Youth Information www.youthinformation.ie
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source:
Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland (10/2008)
