Can a teenager buy shares or investments or can I buy for them?

I have a teenager who has taken an interest in investing. I was thinking of assisting him to buy a few shares so he can learn about investing. Is there a way to do this in Ireland? Or do platforms only permit over 18s?

If there are key posts on investing for children, can you point them out, I'm just not seeing them.

It's tricky as any contract entered into by a minor is not enforceable. You'll find the same in UK so few places want to deal with minors.

I believe Degiro have a minor account facility. It's a joint account, in the name of child but with you as legal representative so contract can be enforced. There may be others offering similar.

Look into the tax treatment as well, particularly if the original source of their funds was a gift from you. I haven't looked at it but there might be anti-avoidance rules to prevent parents avoiding tax by buying assets in name of children.

Alternatively, you could buy them in trust for them, but it would be taxed in your name until transferred to their name at 18.

My 8 year old and 12 year old have had trading accounts with Degiro for the last few years, however they don’t know they have them.