Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
303. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the progress made to date in respect of implementing the recommendations specific to his Department outlined in the Report on the Operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 to improve the functioning of the ISL Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22770/23]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to ensuring that customers who wish to use Irish Sign Language can do so. My officials have engaged with the National Sign Language Interpreting Service for Ireland to provide access to our services through Irish Remote Interpreting Services (IRIS).
In line with our commitment to making our services accessible to all our customers, this service is free. Currently customers can avail of a live video-link to an Irish Sign Language interpreter, details of which are available on the Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie.
In addition, my officials have contacted all agencies under its remit to make them aware of their obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 and ensure they make Irish Sign Language interpreting services available to their customers.
My Department is committed to monitoring on an ongoing basis the level of demand for services to be provided in Irish Sign Language and responding to those demands in a planned, coherent, and accessible way.
