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Irish Sign Language

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2018

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Ceisteanna (113)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

113. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been achieved to date on social inclusion developments for deaf citizens under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and for the strategy to increase the number of sign language interpreters, the development of a registration scheme and quality assurance measures and the development of professional training for sign language interpreters. [26015/18]

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Freagraí scríofa

The National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021 sets out a four-year, whole-of-Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities both in a practical sense, and also in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. It is intended that the Strategy will make a significant difference over its lifetime to the position of people with disabilities in Irish society.

In respect of the development and expansion of Irish Sign Language (ISL) services for deaf citizens, the commitments can be summarised as follows:

- Extension of ISL remote interpretation service;

- Resourcing of the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) to increase the number of trained sign Language and deaf interpreters, to put a quality-assurance and registration scheme in place and to provide on-going professional training and development for interpreters;

- Legislation that will ensure that all public bodies provide ISL users with free interpretation when accessing or availing of statutory services.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 was signed into law in December 2017 and provides for the following:-

- Recognition of the right of ISL users to use ISL as their native language;

- The placing of a duty on public services to provide free interpretation services when accessing statutory services;

- The placing of an obligation on courts to take all reasonable steps to allow persons competent in ISL to be heard in ISL.

The Act will come into operation in December 2020.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is responsible for progressing the commitments under the Inclusion Strategy that relate to the extension of the ISL remote interpretation service, the increase in the number of interpreters, the establishment of a quality-assurance and registration scheme and the provision of on-going professional training and development for interpreters. Work has commenced on the implementation of this programme, completion of which is expected by 2021. DEASP will be reporting periodically on its progress in this regard to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, (which comprises the Interdepartmental Committee, the Disability Stakeholders Group and the National Disability Authority), and at local level through its Departmental Consultative Committee.

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