Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers who have received and who are currently receiving, child and adolescent mental health training; her plans to extend this training to all social workers dealing with children and young adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17286/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In the HSE social workers receive training from Children and Families Services Trainers through a variety of standardised training programmes and complementary training modules that are delivered on the basis of locally identified need. Child and Adolescent Mental health issues are delivered on the basis of locally identified need. Child and Adult Mental health issues are complex and can be present in a variety of ways and therefore there are a variety of programmes that address the following issues: Attention disorders; Depression; Anxiety disorders; Oppositional defiant behaviour, aggression, anti social behaviour; Eating disorders; Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, manic depressive disorder, or drug-induced psychosis; Deliberate self harm; Substance misuse; Autism spectrum disorders; Developmental disorders delay in acquiring certain skills such as speech, and social development.

All social workers receive preparation in mental health issues during their third level training. There are a variety of modules that deal with different aspects of mental health in the various pre-qualification courses including attachment theory, child and adolescent development, counselling skills, and addiction. Social workers also access mental health training from other parts of the HSE such as the National Suicide Prevention Office e.g. Assist Training in mental health and suicide prevention.

Additionally, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) employ social workers as part of mental health team's service provided to children and adolescents at risk.

In preparation for the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency; a comprehensive Continuous Development Strategy is being prepared. The strategy is based on carrying out systematic Training Needs Analysis and ensuring that priority training needs for the CFSA staff are addressed in a consistent manner. Mental health training is a high priority for this group and the implementation of the CPD strategy will ensure that there is training available to all social workers in this area.

The Deputy may be aware that the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005 provides for the establishment of a Social Workers Registration Board (CORU) which was appointed in 2010. One of the functions of the SWRB is to set and enforce standards of education and training for the purposes of registration. These standards were developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders including employers, professional bodies, education and public representatives.

The Act makes provision for the approval of education and training programmes and the monitoring of continuing suitability of education and training programmes

The system of statutory regulation is designed to ensure professional conduct and the maintenance of high standards of professional education and training among social workers, regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector or are self employed.

The object of the Social Work Registration Board is to protect the public by fostering high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence among social work registrants.

The registration requirements will include a Continual Professional Development element and my officials will regularly liaise with CORU regarding emerging needs and priorities in this regard.