Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Worker Qualifications.

David Andrews

Question:

35 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Health the provision, if any, being made for existing social workers whose qualification is a Bachelor of Social Science degree and who were employed prior to the introduction of the proposals by the National Validation Board on Social Work Qualifications, in order to ensure that they will be registered to practise; and whether a grandfather or inclusion clause will be introduced. [8140/97]

Chris Flood

Question:

40 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concern of approximately 200 social workers without Certificate of Qualification in Social Work qualifications who will be disqualified if the recommendations of the validation body are accepted; his views on the fact that there is no precedent for the proposal of the validation body to disqualify practitioners from their profession; if he will ensure this does not occur for the 200 social workers referred to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7035/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The National Social Work Qualifications Board was established as a corporate body on 27 February 1997 and replaced the National Validation Body on Social Work Qualifications which was dissolved on that date.

The newly-established board has a number of functions relating to overseeing standards in social work training and education and the assessing of qualifications obtained outside of the State. The board will also grant the National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW) to those who have successfully completed recognised courses. The NQSW will replace the CQSW which was traditionally awarded by the UK Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work until its withdrawal from Ireland in 1993.

The NQSW is now the benchmark entry qualification for employment in the public health service but I would like to avail of this opportunity to stress the fact that qualifications pertaining to social work posts in such areas as the probation and welfare service, local authorities etc. remain a matter for decision by the relevant Government Department, i.e. the Department of Justice and the Department of the Environment respectively.

I requested the former National Validation Body on Social Work Qualifications and Training to examine the issue of B.Soc.Sc. graduates in the public health service and to make recommendations to me. The body reported on 20 November 1996 and, following examination by my Department of the advice received, it was decided that additional detail was required on a number of issues.

The newly-established National Social Work Qualifications Board will supply the information already requested in due course. Therefore, I am not in a position to make any further comment at present other than to say that as the board is not a registration body the question of disqualifying social workers without CQSW qualifications currently employed in the health service will not arise.