I ask the Minister for Health to give serious consideration to the arguments of a group of social workers employed by various agencies throughout the country to have their Bachelor of Science degrees and their many years work experience validated. There are approximately 200 social workers concerned. They have given many years of service as social workers and they are requesting that the national validation board recognise and validate their qualifications. They are also requesting that they be included in the validation process by virtue of their experience, ongoing supervision and in-service training. The Bachelor of Social Science degree was the best qualification available at the time of their qualification. Many of the social workers, on whose behalf I am speaking tonight, have been working in the profession for more than 20 years. They were committed to studying for this course in the first instance unlike others who opt for postgraduate and diploma courses.
If their qualifications are not validated, this will have serious effects on their opportunities for promotion, permanency in employment and mobility. Their integrity as social workers would be compromised and doubts would be cast on decisions made, and advice given, by them. Their status within their employing agency would be diminished.
Social workers are merely seeking fair play and I hope the Minister can accede to their request.