Ms Wendy Murray:

In reply to Senator Black, I would not be an expert in the area of mental health. However, looking at younger deaf people, it really depends on their own level of confidence as to whether they could actually go and ask for interpretation and whether they feel they are able to fight for it. Some deaf people are able to speak and that would be fine. Other deaf people may go to avail of a service but be afraid to ask because the person they are asking support from might say an interpreter is a bit expensive and ask them to try by themselves. They then feel the obligation to try by themselves. Even as an adult, I hate the idea of asking for an interpreter. The question is always asked, "Who pays?" One cannot prepare for that when dealing with a mental health issue and be supposed to be able to ask for more services. One would not necessarily have the confidence to be able to do that. A deaf person who has availed of mental health services might be better able to answer that question and the Irish Deaf Society might have a further response on that for the committee later.