(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations prescribe classes of health worker and social worker for the purposes of section 28(7) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), 1997. Their effect is to widen the meaning of "health professional" in section 28 of the FOI Act to include persons holding either the National Qualification in Social Work (N.Q.S.W.) issued by the National Social Work Qualification Board, the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (C.Q.S.W.) issued by the National Validation Body on Social Work Qualifications and Training, a letter of accreditation from the National Social Work Qualifications Board or a qualification in clinical psychology recognised by the Minister for Health and Children where the person concerned has been practising as a clinical psychologist for a minimum of three out of the last five years following the award of the qualification concerned.