10th April 2025 |
Open Consultations
Public consultation on the proposal to extend the late working hours exemption for young persons to unlicensed premises under the Provisions of Section 8 of the Protection of Young Persons Employment Act 1996.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of key stakeholders about whether a new regulation should be considered under the Protection of Young Persons Act 1996 and whether the existing Code of Practice concerning the Employment of Young Persons in Licensed Premises should be reviewed.
Background
The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 is designed to protect the health of young workers and ensure that work carried out during school years does not put young people's education at risk. The Act sets minimum age limits for employment, rest intervals and maximum working hours and prohibits the employment of anyone under 18 on late-night work. The Act also requires employers to keep specified records for workers under 18.
Under the Act, young people aged 16 and 17 can work a maximum of 8 hours a day, up to 40 hours a week. Young people are only allowed to work between 6am and 10pm; exceptions to this rule must be set out by regulation.
The Protection of Young Persons Act 1996 (Employment in Licensed Premises) Regulations 2001 (SI No 350 of 2001) permits young people employed on general duties in a licensed premises to be allowed to work up to 11pm at night during school holidays and on weekend nights where there is no school the next day. General duties do not include supplying intoxicating liquor from behind the bar counter in a licensed premises or supplying it for consumption off those premises.
Employers must have regard to the Code of Practice concerning the Employment of Young Persons in Licensed Premises (PDF, 4MB) which lays down criteria which an employer must abide by to remain compliant. The main purpose of the Code of Practice is to set out the guidance for employer and employee’s duties and responsibilities (including statutory obligations) in relation to the employment of young persons on general duties in licensed premises.
Consultation questions and submissions
Respondents are requested to make their submissions using the following form:
Public consultation on a new regulation under the Protection of Young Persons Act 1996
The closing date for submissions is close of business, Thursday, 8 May 2025.
Publication of submissions and Freedom of Information
Any personal information, which you volunteer to this department, will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, strictly in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2018. However, please note the following:
- the information provided in the submission form may be shared with relevant government departments and State organisation’s during the review process
- the department may publish the outcome of the reviews and the submissions received under this consultation on its website
- as information received by the department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, such information may be considered for possible release under the FOI Act
- if you wish to submit information that you consider commercially sensitive, personal or confidential, please identify that information in your submission and give reasons for considering it sensitive
Data Protection and Freedom of Information
We would like to draw your attention to the department's Data Protection Privacy Notice which is available on our website and explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of your personal information and how you can exercise your rights under data protection laws.
Topics:
Workplace and Skills