You can bank on children having good day at the office

MARKETS literally became child’s play yesterday as young Catríona Moclair got a close-up of what dad does at Bank of Ireland’s dealing room.

Known to grown-ups as head of domestic business, John Moclair and his colleagues withstood the invasion and didn't manage to lose millions or anything, but gained more than a few laughs at their workstations.

For the past five years, the bank's treasury and international division has been running Kids at Work Day. And 53 excited children aged between four and 12 converged on the Talbot Street, Dublin, office and got the run of the place until lunchtime. Apart from banking tips, the youngsters were treated to a host of fun things, such as balloon sculpting, computer games, art workshops and a pop star party. And Simon the Magician put on a top-class show. "It was great," said Michael McAllorum, a four-year-old action man, as he slowed down briefly from inspecting every corner of the bank's remittances section. Mum Deirdre kept a watchful eye as colleagues shared the workload of processing the foreign currency from the branches.

Geraldine Holohan, from marketing, brought Megan 11, Sam 8, and Robert 5. "It's great fun, all day long," Megan pronounced. "It was brilliant," she enthused. She'd like to work in the bank; it has computers, a cafeteria, and she'd meet loads of friends.

Lunch was had in the noisy cafeteria it's amazing the decibel level 50 children can generate before the bank settled down. Mums and dads back at the grindstone, minders whisked the youngsters by coach to the final treat, Rugrats in the UCI film complex in Coolock.

"It emphasises our commitment to a work-family balance," said chief executive Mick Sweeney. "Aside from being a fun day, it affords children the opportunity to see what their parents do every day. It also allows parents to explain the different aspects of the workplace the challenges, the achievements and the camaraderie."