Ms Lianne Quigley:

I have a couple of comments. When we talk about websites being technologically accessible, Government websites, in general, provide very little ISL. I would recommend straightforward planning. The deaf community have ISL translation providers and through the Irish Deaf Society, IDS, we can consult and translate documentation on Government websites. Not all deaf people within the deaf community are able to read English at a higher register. Most deaf people would prefer the information in their first language of ISL on the page. It is a straightforward issue and is not expensive to add onto a website.

When we talk about the ISL Act, it was fantastic that it was passed in 2017, as the Senator said. That was a momentous occasion for us and I remember it well. In 2020, a register of ISL interpreters was established. That is a positive. Last June, a pilot project was established for a social inclusion voucher scheme whereby funding has been made available to deaf people to allow them to access interpreters of their own choice in attending cultural, religious, social and other events. It started in June but they have extended it by an extra month. From the pilot project, we will be able to ascertain whether it should continue, and the IDS will be lobbying for its continuation. Deaf people can book interpreters for themselves without having to worry about the money because the funding is there. That could be to go to the theatre, to attend a one-to-one meeting with a solicitor to make a will and so on. Deaf people do not have to rely on and seek grants and funding but can instead access a social inclusion voucher scheme to go to these events. Those are the examples I wanted to give for the moment. I thank the Senator.