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27th September 2018
04:28pm BST

The opinions varied from seven to 13 years old, however, some criticised other parents for their thoughts on the issue. One mum revealed that she left her daughter in her cot sleeping while she ran to the shop for 15 to 20 minutes, and received backlash from some members, with one responding:
“I hope that’s not true. If you don’t want social services on your back then I probably wouldn’t do that.”
As it stands in Ireland currently, there is no legal age when it is acceptable to leave children at home alone. However, it is advised that parents should assess the situation based on their child’s ability to cope with being left alone.
There is also no legal minimum age for babysitting and, again, parents are advised to assess the situation based on maturity and competence.