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Irish Sign Language

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022

Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Ceisteanna (128)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education his plans to provide Irish Sign Language support for children whose primary language is Irish Sign Language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13350/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Last week Minister Foley and I were pleased to announced details of a new scheme for the provision of Irish Sign Language (ISL) in-school support for students who are Deaf and whose primary means of communication is ISL.

The new scheme will involve two key strands of support:

- Programme of intensive in-school support for individual students to enable them access teaching and learning and participate in school life.

- Programme of training and support to build capacity among the school community including teachers, special needs assistants, other school staff and pupils on communication using Irish Sign Language.

The new scheme is targeted at children and young people attending primary, special and post-primary school who were born without an auditory nerve or due to infection, disease, trauma, failed technology intervention (for example cochlear implants), their auditory nerve has ceased to function completely and whose primary means of communication is using Irish Sign Language. 

Under the scheme, a package of dedicated specialist ISL supports will be allocated to relevant schools so these students have a more inclusive school experience. 

The establishment of the new scheme follows the commencement of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 on 23 December 2020. Section 5 of the Act outlines a number of requirements in relation to education including the establishment of this scheme.

In developing the new scheme, we recognise that the primary educator in a school is the class teacher, who is qualified and registered with the Teaching Council. 

The new roles will support the work of the class teachers and complement other teaching support and care support provided for the targeted students. 

The deployment of the new supports is consistent with a key principle underpinning Department policy on the allocation of supports to students with special educational needs that the child with the greatest level of need should receive the greatest level of support. 

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) will be responsible for the delivery of the new supports under the scheme. Schools that identify students with a need for specialised ISL support will be invited to submit an application to the NCSE.  

The proposals and the operation of the scheme will be discussed with education stakeholders in the coming weeks with a view to finalising the scheme as soon as possible so that it is in place in time for the commencement of the next school year.

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