Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Sign Language Act establishes "a scheme to provide Irish Sign Language support for children attending recognised schools ... whose primary language is Irish Sign Language". The Geary family campaigned for this Act and, a few months ago, appeared on "The Late Late Show" with their twin boys, one of whom, Callum, is deaf, to highlight the fact that he is still not able to access adequate Irish Sign Language support in school. Why is that the case? There are graduates with first class honours degrees ready and willing to work, but the Department of Education refuses to sanction new positions. As boards of management can only employ these graduates as special needs assistants or under specified grants where there is no holiday pay or maternity pay, they cannot get qualified staff. Unless the Department moves on this issue, the Geary family, who played a part in putting the legislation on the Statute Book in the first instance, will have no option but to go to court.

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