Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
684. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit meet the obligations of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17434/21]
View answerThe Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 assigns specific responsibilities to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the funding of a scheme of accreditation for ISL Interpreters (Section 7) and the provision of funds to facilitate ISL users with access to social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities as specified in guidelines (Section 9).
I have assigned the implementation of these responsibilities to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory agency under the aegis of my Department. The CIB, working closely with one of its Service Delivery companies, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), has made progress in implementing these commitments.
In relation to Section 7 of the ISL Act, the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) was established in December 2020. Prior to establishment, CIB conducted significant research into international policies and standards, undertook extensive consultation with the Deaf community and other stakeholders, and developed and externally reviewed policies and procedures. A separate company was also established to ensure operational independence of the Register.
The first of its kind in Ireland, RISLI is a standards-based registration system for ISL interpreters. It aims to strengthen and guarantee the quality of ISL provision in Ireland, by ensuring that Interpreters reach specified standards to be admitted on the Register. RISLI also aims to support ISL interpreters to meet and maintain these standards by partaking in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain their registration status. There are currently 86 ISL Interpreters on the Register.
In relation to Section 9, the establishment of the Register was a fundamental prerequisite for this commitment, in order to ensure that approved interpreters provide ISL interpreting as part of the scheme. Extensive consultation with the Deaf community and a review of international practice were undertaken by CIB and SLI to inform a model for the scheme. The commencement of a Pilot is now scheduled for Q2 2021, subject to compliance with public health guidelines in place at that time. The Pilot is scheduled to run for three months and will be subject to review in order to inform a proposal for national rollout.
In relation to my Department's commitments under Section 3 and Section 6 respectively, the Department provides an ISL Interpretation service to any customer who may request or need this service in order to interact or engage with the Department. An in-person or remote service is currently available and in person ISL Interpreting services can be arranged where essential. ISL Interpretation is provided free of charge to customers and the Department ensures that interpreters assigned to DSP are registered with RISLI.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
