Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and his first question is a good one. In the context of a no-deal Brexit, the Department of Education and Skills is leading work, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other Departments, to ensure, as far as possible, the provision of arrangements with the UK for the mutual recognition of qualifications. Aspects of that work will be referenced in the Bill we will be publishing on Brexit. Regarding anything not required to have a legislative basis, my understanding is that, as with other issues, we wish to ensure as much of an opportunity as possible for our young people by ensuring there are appropriate bilateral agreements between the jurisdictions.

The second part of the question posed concerned the recognition of qualifications and the recruitment of social workers. I referred to that as well. I am aware this committee discussed this issue last week or the week before. We are dealing with a global shortage of social workers. Tusla is well aware of that difficulty. It has to accept that situation and still move forward in finding new solutions to those recruitment challenges. It is also important to state that the issue of mutual recognition of qualifications also arises in the case of newly qualified workers. My colleague, Mr. Quinlan, might like to comment on that last aspect.