Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Workers' Qualifications.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

225 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the position of 120 social workers throughout the country with basic Bachelor of Science degrees and diplomas who do not have the common qualification in social work or the national qualification in social work diploma usually taken following a basic degree; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that these people have been working in the profession for many years and find that they are being treated unfairly in relation to being appointed to the National Social Work Qualification Board (formerly the National Validation Body), promotion, job security, remuneration and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I met representatives of the social workers in question in September 1997 and I am familiar with the anxieties expressed by them.

I requested the National Social Work Qualification Board, formerly known as the National Validation Body on Social Work Qualifications and Training, to examine the issue of these graduates in the public service and to make recommendations to me. Final information on the issue will be provided very shortly. I am confident that a solution to the matter will be found by the end of this year.