Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if social care leaders who hold a diploma in social care from the School of Social Education, Kilkenny, will have their qualification recognised to give them equality with other social care leaders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13609/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The report of the expert group on various health professions published in April 2000 recommended the establishment of a joint management and union committee to deal with issues arising from the recognition of the autonomy of the child care worker profession. The joint committee on social care professionals was established to examine these issues, including the establishment of a proper career structure for child care workers and a review of the training available with a view to the introduction of a nationally recognised professional qualification.

Arising from the work of the joint committee, a new grading structure was agreed for the profession together with a title change from child care to social care. The joint committee recommended that the minimum standard for accreditation as a social care worker be equivalent to the relevant diplomas awarded by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Dublin Institute of Technology. The grade of social care leader was established as a promotional grade and staff now appointed as social care leaders are expected to hold the relevant professional qualifications.

The joint committee also made recommendations on the establishment of arrangements for the accreditation of qualifying courses and the validation of alternative courses or qualifications acquired outside this country. My Department is working with the Health Service Executive and other agencies to progress the development of the necessary national accreditation and assessment frameworks in the context of the provisions of the Health Act 2004.