Policy - Dealing with Minors on Set

Due to the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996, there are policies in place to protect Minors.

It is important that you read the following information to ensure that the placement of Minors on set adheres to the law. Failure to get a license for a Minor may result in a fine up to €1,500.

1 Your Key Commitments:

1.1 Supervision

No minor should ever be unsupervised while on set or under the care of the production team. There are no exceptions to this rule.

1.2 Parental Supervision / Chaperone

Our preference is that you have either a Parent or a Legal Guardian of the Minor supervising the Minor on set at all times. If this is not feasible, you may use a chaperone, where the chaperone is a professional chaperone or a mother or father of at least one of the minors on set and is dedicated to supervising a maximum of five minors while on set.

1.3 Working Hours

The Department of Trade, Industry and Employment has set out strict guidelines on the number of hours that a minor may work on set. See below for further details.

Click here to view our Guidelines

1.4 MovieExtras.ie Minors Protection Policy

You agree to adhere and abide by the MovieExtras.ie Minors Protection Policy.

Click here to view our Children's Protection Policy.

2 License

Minors (children under 18 of years) are required to be licensed PRIOR to being on set.

This is a legal requirement and must be adhered to. Failure to have a license can result in a fine of €1,500.

The Department of Employment requires 21 days notice of the production date (BUT there may be some allowance made for a shorter application time frame).

If MovieExtras.ie is providing the casting for the production, MovieExtras.ie will apply for the license.

The following information is required:

(a) Production name
(b) Dates where the Minor is required

Click here to see an Application for a License

Click here for further information on the Licensing

Click here for Workplace Relations Guide to Employing Minors in the Film Industry

3 Chaperone

A suitable chaperone must be in charge of the child at all times while he/she is present at the place of employment, on set or in rehearsal, except while the child is in the charge of a parent or guardian. The function of the chaperon shall include the care and control of the child with a view to securing his/her health, comfort, kind treatment and moral welfare. A chaperon shall not be in charge of more than THREE children at any time.

A chaperone should be with the child at all times whether: on set/stage area, dressing rooms, recreation, meal & break areas etc. The chaperone is the KEY PERSON to whom the child looks for protection, clarification and support.

You should instruct the chaperone prior to the day in what they can expect to be doing on set.

Once on set, please go over the following details:

- Who is responsible on set

- Any health and safety issues that they should know about

- Who to contact in a medical emergency

- Where the toilets are located on set

4 Illness or injury :

At no time should a child perform when unwell. If a child falls ill or injured while in the Chaperone or Tutor’s charge, medical assistance must be gained and the parent/guardian & NERA informed immediately. Always have a contact number for parents or guardian.

5 Working Hours

The following hours, for a child to work on set, have been laid out by the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996. These should be adhered to, by the production company, or to whomever is responsible for the minor at work, at all times.

For further information on the Hours etc, please click here.

5.1 Children under 7 years of age:

A child under 7 years may not be present at the place of employment for more than 5 hours a day, before 09.30 a.m. or after 4.30 p.m. except in special circumstances

- may not be present at the place of employment for more than 250 hours in any twelve month period.

- may not take part in a performance or rehearsal on any day:

for a continuous period of more than 30 minutes without an interval for rest,

for a total period of more than 2 hours.

5.2 Children over 7 and under 13 years of age:

A child between 7 and 13 years may not be present at the place of employment for more than 7½ hours a day, or before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. except in special circumstances

- may not be present at the place of employment for more than 700 hours in any twelve month period

- may not take part in a performance or rehearsal on any day:

for a continuous period of more than 45 minutes without an interval for rest
for a total period of more than 3 hours.

5.3 Children over 13 years of age

A child over 13 years shall not be present at the place of employment for more than 8 hours a day, or before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. except in special circumstances.

- may not be present at the place of employment for more than 900 hours in any twelve month period.

- may not take part in a performance or rehearsal on any day:

for a continuous period of more than 1 hour without an interval for rest
for a total period of more than 4 hours.

6 Night work

A child may take part in a performance after the latest relevant hour permitted only if it is essential for such performance to take place after that hour.

7 Education

Where the hours of work of the child involve an absence from school of more than one week, appropriate alternative teaching arrangements must be arranged.

8 On Set Information

When a minor turns up for a production their Guardian or Parent will have a document outlining any medical or dietary issues pertaining to the Minor, as well contact details of their doctor and alternative parent / guardian.

This is an important document and should be held securely and should be easily accessible during the production.

At the end of the production, the document should be returned to the parent / guardian.

Click here to view the On Set Information form. www.movieextras.ie/minorsonset