John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1179. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the process to have the social work qualifications of a person recognised and registered with CORU in cases in which the person worked in Tanzania in the Department of Social Welfare and has a masters degree; if it is unusual for an applicant who applied in August 2022, not to be registered to date.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12400/23]

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

All applications for recognition of qualifications awarded outside the State are assessed in the same way and to the same criteria. Applications are assessed, in order, according to date and time of receipt. Education and training and, where required, lifelong learning are assessed to ascertain whether an applicant has addressed the requirements of the standards of proficiency for practice as a Social Worker.

The average time required for assessment and decision on an application for recognition of qualifications by CORU was 69 days in Q4 of 2022. This average timeframe has been declining steadily over the past two years.

An application cannot be assessed until it is complete. The applicant referred to initiated the process in August 2022 but did not actually submit the full file required until the 10^thFebruary, 2023. The final document received - the course syllabus - was essential to the process. The application is currently being considered by expert assessors. As of 21st March, 39 days have passed since the applicant submitted a complete application.

Regarding the registration process which follows once a person's non-national qualifications have been recognised, the applicant may be aware that applicants are able to initiate an application for registration as soon as they have submitted a complete application file to the recognition department and pending the outcome of that process. This has the effect of reducing the period of time required to complete both the recognition and the registration process.

I trust this provides a satisfactory explanation but if there are any further follow up queries, I would suggest the applicant concerned contacts CORU directly on the matter.