Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1456. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of providing a dedicated translation service for students with documentation in a language other than English or Irish for SUSI applications; if he intends to provide such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36899/23]
View answerThe Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law by the President of Ireland on 22 December 2021.
State bodies are required to make all forms, documents, and reports available in both English and Irish under the Official Languages Act.
This new legislation is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003 and it is widely recognised that it will make a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies.
SUSI currently use English to Irish translation services only, therefore, we are unable to provide an estimated cost of providing a dedicated translation service for students with documentation in a language other than English or Irish for SUSI applications.
