Sorca Clarke
Question:934. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing a permanent ISL voucher scheme. [57353/23]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (934)
Written answers
Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of Irish Sign Language to access social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities.
I have assigned the implementation of these responsibilities to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department. CIB in turn has assigned the delivery of this work to its Service Delivery Company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).
In 2021, CIB and SLIS launched a pilot project, supported by the Department of Social Protection, which involved the creation of a “Voucher Scheme” in line with Section 9 of the ISL Act.
Following this successful pilot, the Department was delighted to see SLIS commence the Voucher Scheme on a permanent basis on 2nd October 2023. Findings from the pilot project's evaluation informed the design and roll out of the permanent Scheme.
As part of CIB’s allocated funding from the Department for 2024, CIB has allocated €400,000 to SLIS to provide the Voucher Scheme for a 12 month period in 2024. This funding is in addition to the sanctioning by CIB of a full-time Administrator in SLIS for the operation of the Voucher Scheme.
The ISL Voucher Scheme allows individuals to request ISL interpretation services to meet their needs in respect of access to social, cultural and education activities and is an important step in the implementation of the ISL Act 2017. I am firmly committed to supporting and funding this Scheme into the future, in line with my responsibilities under the ISL Act.
I trust this clarifies your query.
Question No. 935 answered with Question No. 930.