Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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819. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the matter whereby students currently enrolled in social care programmes in Munster Technological University will graduate without CORU accreditation. [54819/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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CORU is in the process of introducing regulation of the Social Care profession for the first time.

At the beginning of September, my officials wrote to all providers of Social Care programmes, including Munster Technological University (MTU), asking that institutions communicate their position in relation to CORU application and accreditation to all students. 

I understand that MTU have communicated with their students in relation to their programmes status. MTU is currently engaged in the CORU application process and is at an advanced stage of preparation to complete the application process for its Social Care programmes. A final document was submitted by the North Kerry Campus in March 2022 and it is anticipated that a submission by the Cork Bishopstown Campus will be made later this year.

The Department of Health have advised my Department that to join the register existing professionals and current students will either need to:

1. have undertaken an approved education programme, or

2. to have obtained 2 years of professional practice in the 5-year period prior to 30 November 2025, in addition to passing a competency test.

Further information in relation to these “grand-parenting” provisions for existing practitioners, should be sought from the Department of Health or CORU directly, as these matters are not within the remit or responsibility of the Minister or the Department, and as such I cannot intervene with the work of an independent regulator

My officials are continuing to engage with the Department of Health on these issues.