I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, together.
The Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), which is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board, (CIB) is the national service for the development, promotion and delivery of sign language interpreting services to the Deaf community in Ireland.
CIB has allocated a budget of €676,000 to SLIS for 2018. This includes over €300,000 in additional funds to expand its activities in order to deliver on the commitments set out in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021.
To date, four additional permanent part-time interpreters and a part time Administrator have been recruited to work, which has allowed for the extension of service hours. Its hours of operation were extended to evenings and weekends on a phased basis from 1 March, 2018 to 1 September, 2018. As of beginning September, the opening hours of the IRIS service have been extended by 18 hours per week. The additional hours are as follows
9.00 to 9.30 (Mon to Friday)
13.00 to 14.00 (Mon to Friday)
17.00 to 18.30 (Mon to Friday)
10.00 to 13.00 (Saturday)
A further extension of hours is planned for 2019.
SLIS is currently recruiting a Quality Development Officer to develop a quality assurance and registration scheme for interpreters. It is expected that this post will be in place by November. The Quality Development Officer will work with SLIS' key stakeholders to research, develop and deliver a national registration scheme for sign language interpreters. S/he will also develop continuous professional development and training to support the provision of a high quality sign language interpreting service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.