Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2023
125. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide details of her Department’s plans for a permanent so-called voucher scheme for the Deaf community under section 9 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, in 2024; and to confirm if funding has been allocated to provide this scheme on a permanent basis from 1 January 2024. [46875/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 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, and its Service Delivery Company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS). SLIS is an independent body, funded and supported by CIB, to develop, promote and deliver quality sign language interpreting services to the Deaf community in Ireland, including face to face and remote services.
In 2021, CIB and SLIS launched a pilot project, supported by the Department of Social Protection, which involved the creation of a Voucher Scheme for users of ISL to access free interpreting for social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical services) and other activities. Findings from the July 2022 evaluation of this successful pilot have informed the design and roll out of the permanent Voucher Scheme.
I am delighted to confirm that the "Voucher Scheme" was officially launched by SLIS on 1st October 2023. It will allow individuals to book interpretation services to meet their needs in respect of access to social, cultural and education activities. This is an important step in the implementation of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017.
2023 funding has been provided and I can confirm that 2024 funding has been secured as part of the recent Budget process. As stated previously, I am firmly committed to supporting and funding the Voucher Scheme now and into the future, on a permanent basis, in line with my responsibilities under the ISL Act.
