Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - B. Tech Diploma.

Mary Wallace

Question:

260 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the reason one of the stipulations for employment as a social worker in Irish hospitals is the need to have the higher diploma in social studies; the specific distinction between the acceptance of the diploma and the non-acceptance by the hospital authorities of the B.tech Diploma in social studies which is run by the vocational education committee in Inchicore, being a three year diploma course of a very high standard; the reason the B.tech. Diploma is not acceptable for working as a social worker within the health services under his Department; if there is no explanation for the non-acceptance of this particular diploma, if his Department will review its policy in this regard and clarify that the diploma is acceptable on the same basis that the higher diploma in social studies is acceptable for social worker employment in our hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16143/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): In July 1991, the then Minister for Health established a committee whose remit included reviewing the qualifications necessary for employment as a social worker in a health board.

The committee reported in March 1994 and recommended that those recruited to entry grade positions in social work under health boards should have a minimum entry qualification of four to five years combined academic and practice training and education, that is, an academic and a professional qualification. This recommendation was accepted. There is currently a limited number of degree and post-graduate courses available, in TCD, UCD and UCC which meet this professional standard.

I understand that the B. Tech Diploma was not one of the qualifications examined by thead hoc committee. However, it is highly unlikely that the qualification would have fulfilled the academic and professional practice place requirements of a professional social work qualification. In the health boards and the voluntary hospitals which I tend to adopt qualification standards accepted by health boards, the recognised qualification for both recruitment and promotion over the past 16 years has been the professional qualification now known as the National Qualification in Social Work.

The committee, in its recommendations, also advised on the setting up of a permanent successor to itself, an advisory body in the form of a National Validation Body to oversee standards in social work training and education. This body, established in May 1995, is charged with assessing the equivalence of both national and non-national qualifications to the NQSW. I understand that if the holder of a B. Tech Diploma were to submit their qualification for assessment, the precise shortfall in course content and level of qualification would be detailed by the National Validation Body.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it is essential that all those involved in the delivery and supervision of social work be appropriately qualified and experienced.