Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 2 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 March 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 March 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what percentage of individuals commencing work as social workers in each of the last five years in Northern Ireland graduated with (a) social work and (b) other degrees. - Inc table.

Answer: Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of individuals commencing work as social workers in each of the last five years in Northern Ireland graduated with (a) social work and (b) other degrees. [220659] Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows. (a) The degree in social work, which replaced the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) as the professional social work qualification, had its first intake of students in Northern Ireland in September 2004. There are, therefore no social workers in the Northern Ireland social work work force holding this qualification as yet. (b) Information on other degrees held by social workers is not collected centrally as this is not a requirement for employment as a social worker.

Secondary information