Qualifications Recognition

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Questions (1317, 1318, 1321, 1322, 1324, 1325, 1329, 1343, 1355, 1356)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

1317. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a higher level institution (details supplied) that has informed its students and graduates of applied social care that they will be unable to receive CORU accreditation and therefore unable to become registered social care workers, despite previously advising students they would receive accreditation; his plans to engage with the institution on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42961/22]

Steven Matthews

Question:

1318. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding engagement he has had with management of a school (details supplied) in relation to the ongoing issue of accreditation for its social care courses; if plans are in place to support students in these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43014/22]

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

1321. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a third level institution (details supplied) has withdrawn its application to CORU, which now means that students and graduates of certain programmes will be unable to become registered social care workers; if his Department has engaged with the college and CORU to review this recent decision to come to an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43098/22]

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1322. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he will take to ensure that this years applied social care graduates from Dublin Business School are able to access the CORU accreditation they need to progress their careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43127/22]

Bríd Smith

Question:

1324. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will intervene in a case affecting students enrolled in a degree course of a third level institution (details supplied) for applied social care for which students have recently been told will not be recognised by CORU; if his attention has been drawn to the impact that this will have on the current students; if his Department will examine any solutions to ensure that CORU recognises the qualification; if he will contact the college in order to seek a solution to this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43171/22]

Gerald Nash

Question:

1325. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to an issue with the applied social care programme at a university (details supplied) receiving CORU accreditation; his views on same; if he believes that a full refund should be offered to affected students; his plans, if any, to engage with officials from the university, CORU and other relevant institutions regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43177/22]

James Lawless

Question:

1329. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine an issue that has occurred for students of an applied social care programme in a university (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43209/22]

Matt Carthy

Question:

1343. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he has taken to find a conversion solution for students attending a college (details supplied) to facilitate possible registration to CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43727/22]

Paul Murphy

Question:

1355. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that his Department will take on behalf of the students currently enrolled in a college course (details supplied) to resolve an issue; and the way that the college involved will be held accountable for not delivering on promises made to its students. [43989/22]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

1356. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that he is taking to assist the students of BA (Hons) in applied social care at a college (details supplied); the measures that are being taken to ensure that the courses offered by private colleges are properly regulated and that the qualifications offered by such private colleges are as advertised to students; the measures that the Government is taking to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of a similar situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44036/22]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1317, 1318, 1321, 1322, 1324, 1325, 1329, 1343, 1355 and 1356 together.

I have been made aware of the withdrawal of the Applied Social Care degree in DBS from consideration for approval by CORU, and was extremely concerned to learn of this matter and its impact on students.

I have asked my officials to assess the situation in order to better understand the options available to these students and seek a satisfactory solution. Engagements have been ongoing between my Department's officials, the Department of Health, CORU, QQI and DBS, and all relevant parties will continue to work to identify a way forward for affected students.

DBS is a private higher education provider, and CORU is an independent regulator of the health and social care professions. It is not within my remit to direct either body. It is my understanding that DBS recently met with students to outline the possible pathways available to them. The pathways available to students will depend on what stage their studies are at, and some students may have more than one option available to them. I encourage the affected students to remain in close contact with DBS regarding this issue, as they are best placed to provide updates as to the options available.

Question No. 1318 answered with Question No. 1317.