Limerick East): I requested the former National Validation Body on Social Work Qualifications and Training to examine the issue of BSocSc 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 has supplied this information in recent days and when my Department has had an opportunity to consider the implications of the information supplied I shall be in a better position to comment in due course.