Ivana Bacik
Question:1092. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by An Garda Síochána. [13493/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
Questions (1092)
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
As you are aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act within the Garda organisation. As Minister I have no role in these matters. As you are aware the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 came into operation in December 2020. This Act recognises the right of Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to use it as their native language. It confers a duty on all public bodies to provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing or seeking to access statutory entitlements and services at no cost to the person concerned. They must ensure interpretation is provided by an interpreter who is on the Register of ISL Interpreters.
An Garda Síochána is striving to achieve equal access to services to the deaf community and ISL Users.
The Garda authorities advise that since 2021 over 2000 of their members and staff have completed the Policing and Human Rights Law in Ireland Course from the University of Limerick. The course content contains information on how to engage with vulnerable victims, which includes the Deaf community.
Promotion and notification of ISL developments and initiatives are used to create awareness. Recent promotions included the fifth National Irish Sign Language Day, the Sligo/Leitrim Cultural Engagement Initiative and promotion of the Services for the Deaf Sign Language User. All major national planned events An Garda Síochána have an ISL interpreter in attendance. All pre-planned video campaigns that are shared through An Garda Síochána social media have an ISL interpreter. I am further advised that the Irish Remote Interpreting Services and An Garda Síochána have launched an ongoing pilot programme that provides better access to the deaf community in Cabra and Tralee Garda Stations.
An Garda Síochána is a partner agency in the EU Funded JUSTISIGNS 2 project. This project responds to the EU Victims Directive by developing education and training solutions to support better access to services for deaf, migrant and refugee women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence; and includes the Deaf community as a marginalised group in society which has historically experienced social exclusion. I am advised that the project is led by a consortium of European experts from Ireland, Belgium, Spain and the UK who are collaborating and undertaking research within the deaf, migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking community to investigate the experiences of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and their interactions with support agencies. The consortium includes the European Union of the Deaf, the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and An Garda Síochána.
I am advised that the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit (GNDIU) operates at the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau. As a national office, GNDIU is responsible for monitoring, advising and co-ordinating on all aspects of diversity and integration from an external perspective. The GNDIU train, develop and support a network of Garda Diversity Officers around Ireland to actively engage with and attend to the concerns of minority, diverse and hard to reach communities - providing reassurance, building trust and extending the accessibility of the Garda Service.
I am advised that there are currently 481 Garda Diversity Officers nationwide. Their role includes overcoming communication barriers with those from diverse backgrounds through active engagement, open dialogue and collaboration. The list of Garda Diversity Officers is currently publically available at www.garda.ie.
I am informed that An Garda Síochána will continue to improve knowledge, awareness and accessibility to the Deaf Community and Sign Language Users ensuring Human Rights is at the centre of service delivery.
I hope this information will be of assistance to you.
Written answers
I requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, this information was not received in time, however, I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.