Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of all the social care courses available and their status with regard to CORU registration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61470/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The table below proves a list of all the degrees (ordinary or honours) with the phrase “social care” in the title (all mode of study).

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.

The Social Care Worker Registration Board is currently processing programme approval applications and intends to create an Approved Qualifications Bye-Law in April 2023. This Bye-Law will identify qualifications awarded in the State which are approved by the Social Care Worker Registration Board as attesting to the standard of proficiency required for registration with the Social Care Worker Registration Board.

While CORU cannot comment on any applications currently being processed, individual education and training providers may communicate where they have been notified by the Registration Board of an outcome. My officials wrote to the Presidents of Social Care Providers in receipt of public funding in September 2022 asking for  a communication to issue to all Social Care students providing an update on the CORU accreditation status of each course. Higher Education Institutions may also have information in respect of their  current status with CORU on the relevant course website page. CORU remain available to support existing practitioners and provide guidance on the entry routes to the Social Care Workers Register.