Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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190. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the qualifications, including specialist qualifications, which must be held by Tusla staff before they may undertake assessments of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made; and the way in which CORU monitors and enforces fitness to practice as an assessor of child sexual abuse allegations. [41670/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am informed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that assessments of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made must be carried out by a registered social worker. 

In order to register with CORU, social workers must hold an approved qualification, as laid out by CORU, and demonstrate that they are fit and proper to work in the field.

CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. The role of CORU is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. The registration, monitoring, fitness to practice and continuing professional development of social workers is an operational matter for CORU.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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191. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the qualifications, including specialist qualifications, which must be held by forensic interviewers employed or contracted by Tusla before they may undertake forensic specialist assessment of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made; and the way in which CORU monitors and enforces fitness to practice as specialist forensic assessor of child sexual abuse allegations. [41671/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Social workers involved with specialist  interviewing  of children who are alleged to have been sexually abused are registered with CORU as qualified social workers and have practice experience. Social workers involved in this type of interview are also required to have successfully completed a course in specialist training.  This is an intensive four week residential course run at Templemore College. Professionally qualified social workers practicing in the area of child protection and members of An Garda Síochana with experience in this field study together.  The course involves two examinations, one on the legal and legislative elements of child protection and a practical assessment, with actors simulating a specialist interview with a child.  Both assessments must be passed in order to qualify as a specialist interviewer. Refresher courses must be completed on a regular basis.

CORU comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health. CORU's role is to promote high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals.

The Social Workers Registration Board at CORU has statutory responsibility for:

Maintaining the Register of members

Assessment, approval and monitoring of training courses for the health and social care professions

Established the code of professional conduct and ethics and standards of performance to which social workers must adhere.