Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

671. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that CORU social care worker registration status has not been given to the BA in professional social care (disability) degree from Open Training College courses for students who completed the course in 2020; the steps that students who completed this degree course in 2020 can take to get registered as a social care worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51758/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. Its role 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.

CORU will open the Social Care Workers Register on the 30 November 2023. This will begin a 2-year transition period during which existing practitioners may apply to register with CORU. On 30 November 2025, the title 'Social Care Worker' will become a legally protected title in Ireland. This positive milestone will ensure all service users receive the highest standards of care and empower CORU to act when any deficiencies are identified.

CORU has confirmed that the Open Training College (OTC) did not apply for approval of the programme titled Bachelor of Arts in Professional Social Care (Disability). CORU is aware that this programme is no longer offered by the OTC and would be considered a historical qualification.

The 2005 Act currently provides that during the two-year transition period, an existing practitioner who has been practising the profession of social care work for a continuous two-year period out of the previous five years, and whose employer states that they meet the standards for that profession may be eligible for entry into the register.

CORU remain available to support existing practitioners and provide guidance on the entry routes to the Social Care Workers Register.

I would like to thank you for raising a matter of understandable concern.