The Government is being urged to regulate the work of au pairs, and to provide a disputes-mediation body.

Fianna Fáil is set to put forward a bill that would see the work and conditions of au pairs set out in legislation.

The bill will also propose the establishment of an independent body to accredit organisations offering the service.

The move follows a case in which the Workplace Relations Commission ordered that a Spanish au pair receive at least the minimum wage earlier this year.

The bill would limit the amount of hours a week and the pay the au pairs could receive.

It is being put forward by Fianna Fail’s Anne Rabbitte, who said: “I would like to see the definition of the au pair, and of the work and a definition of how we would address the (payment) of the au pair.

“I would (also) like to see an overarching committee put in place as a watchdog that would protect the families and the au pairs, and where people would have an opportunity to go if there are any disputes.”