Social Workers Register

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Questions (1095, 1486)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

1095. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of social care workers and social workers waiting to register with CORU. [40239/26]

View answer

1486. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for social worker and social care worker that are outstanding with CORU and remain to be registered by CORU. [40248/26]

View answer

Written answers

Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1095 and 1486 together.

As the deputy might be aware, the title of “social care worker” became legally protected on 1 December 2025. This occurred after a transitional registration period that ran from 30 November 2023 to 30 November 2025.

At the end of the two-year transitional period, CORU had received over 22,000 applications for social care workers to join the CORU register. During this time CORU provided a dedicated team to give tailored support for applicants to ensure they received the assistance needed to navigate the registration process efficiently. CORU continue to process applications to facilitate the timely registration of social care workers. It is important to note that Social Care Workers who applied for registration during the transitional period may continue to work while their application is being reviewed by CORU.

At the end of April this year, there were 15,243 applications in progress from social care workers and 454 applications in progress from social workers for registration with CORU. CORU has advised that these applications ‘in progress’ will include –

• Applications checked in full and queued for the next available registration board meeting for review and decision,

• Applications submitted for review which need to be formally checked by CORU,

• Applications checked by CORU which require outstanding documentation/details,

• Applications assessed for international qualification recognition which require a compensation measure,

• Applicants who have selected to take an Aptitude test or Assessment of Professional Competence (AoPC). An AoPC is required for applicants who do not hold a relevant qualification and need to demonstrate they meet the necessary standards of proficiency to practise safely and competently to progress their registration.

• Applicants who have been reviewed and are required to complete a period of return to practice.