Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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423. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a student who obtained their degree as a social care worker from a third level institution (details supplied) and who is currently working as a social care worker will have their qualifications recognised by CORU under the grandparent scheme; if their QQI qualification will be recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44893/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been advised by the Department of Health of the following arrangement regarding social care workers.

The Social Care Workers Register is due to open on the 30 November 2023. This will begin a two-year transition period for existing practitioners to apply to register with CORU. On 30 November 2025, the title 'Social Care Worker' will become a legally protected title in Ireland.

The Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022, www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2022/80/ will amend s.91 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and require that an applicant demonstrates two years of professional practice, which may comprise of professional experience as a Social Care Worker gained in a number of periods over a five-year period up to 30 November 2025. In addition if an applicant does not have an approved ‘Schedule 3 Qualification’, they are required to undertake an assessment of professional competence. The Social Care Workers Registration Board has not yet set its requirements for how such an assessment will be completed. This will be done in advance of its register opening and further information will be available to applicants. In comparable professions, an applicant is required to present a portfolio and undertake an interview to assess the competence of an applicant.

The programme in question has been validated by QQI and students who graduate from this programme will receive their awards from QQI. Validation by QQI is a separate process from recognition by CORU.