Catherine Connolly
Question:
881. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the current contractual arrangements for the appointment or provision of translators throughout the international protection process, in particular with regard to translators for oral appeal hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48772/23]
View answer
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Questions No. 881, 882, 883, 884 and 885 of 7 November 2023 where you asked: “…..the current contractual arrangements for the appointment or provision of translators throughout the international protection process, in particular with regard to translators for oral appeal hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
“…..if her Department is aware of current difficulties encountered by applicants, solicitors/barristers for applicants, IPO presenting officers and International Protection Appeals Tribunal members with the standard of translators provided/appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
“…..the number of complaints that have been raised in relation to translators and translation services in the international protection process since 2020; the stages within which the IP process these complaints have been raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
“…..if her Department has sought any improvements at any stage from translation service providers on foot of any complaint; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
“….. the number of oral appeal hearings that have been adjourned or rescheduled due, to in full or in part, poor-quality translators; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
As you will recall, I undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. We recognise the importance of high quality interpretation and translation to this process.
The International Protection Office (IPO) primarily provides Cultural Mediators and interpretation services through a partnership with the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM). In addition, since 2020, the IPO has also engaged with two service providers for the provision of interpretation services for less common languages and two service providers for the translation of documents. Separately, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) uses an interpretation service provider for hearings where necessary.
At the IPO, the role of the IOM’s cultural mediator is to independently assist and support the applicant in the process as well as to provide interpretation services. Initially, this includes briefing the applicant on the process in the language of their choice and supporting them to complete their application. If an applicant speaks a less common language for which no interpreter is present, they are invited to return to the IPO to complete the application once a suitable interpreter has been arranged. International Protection applicants are also provided with support, interpretation and translation services by the IOM and other service providers as required through the rest of the process, including during the substantive interview process.
If, during an interview at the IPO, a hearing in the IPAT, or any other part of the process, any interested party has concerns about the interpretation being provided, an alternative interpreter is sought. If an appropriate alternative interpreter is available on-site, the interview or hearing continues at that time. If none is available on the day for the particular language required, the interview is re-scheduled.
The below table shows the oral hearings that were adjourned in the IPAT due to issues with interpretation. These figures relate to difficulties in relation to particular dialects or in some cases where a party to proceedings is not satisfied with the standard of interpretation being provided.
|
Year
|
Number of oral hearings adjourned
|
Number of hearings completed
|
|
2020
|
7
|
465
|
|
2021
|
5
|
765
|
|
2022
|
13
|
922
|
|
2023*
|
19
|
987
|
*To 27 November 2023.
Statistics are not available for the number complaints that have been made in relation to translation or interpretation services to the IPO or IPAT. However, any concerns about the quality of interpretation or translation services are brought to the attention of the relevant service provider. There are arrangements in place for interviewers to provide feedback on interpreters, and this is considered by the IPO and the IPAT.
The Department works in partnership with all its service providers to constantly seek improvement to the delivery of services to our customers.
Catherine Connolly
Question:
882. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is aware of current difficulties encountered by applicants, solicitors-barristers for applicants, IPO presenting officers and International Protection Appeals Tribunal members with the standard of translators provided and appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48773/23]
View answer
Catherine Connolly
Question:
883. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of complaints raised in relation to translators and translation services in the international protection process since 2020; the stages within the IP process at which these complaints have been raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48774/23]
View answer
Catherine Connolly
Question:
884. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has sought any improvements at any stage from translation service providers on foot of any complaint; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48775/23]
View answer
Catherine Connolly
Question:
885. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of oral appeal hearings that have been adjourned or rescheduled due, in full or in part, to poor-quality translators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48776/23]
View answer
I propose to take Questions Nos. 881 to 885, inclusive, together.
Unfortunately it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time requested. I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.
Question No. 882 answered with Question No. 881.
Question No. 883 answered with Question No. 881.
Question No. 884 answered with Question No. 881.
Question No. 885 answered with Question No. 881.
Question No. 886 answered with Question No. 858.
