Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this matter in which I am representing the deaf community. In Ireland, apart from English and Irish perhaps the most significant other language is Irish sign language. The Irish deaf community regards Irish sign language as its primary language. It is the language of the deaf community and the word "Irish" in its name has nothing to do with an teanga Gaeilge. Irish sign language has no official status in Irish legislation and this affects all aspects of a deaf person's life. There is a lack of Irish sign language translated material and a total lack of general understanding of why Irish sign language is so important to the deaf community.

The programme for Government states it will examine various mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish sign language. What type of mechanism does the Government intend to examine? In what timeframe does it expect to complete the examination? When does the Minister responsible expect to be in a position to meet and consult the Irish Deaf Society? Irish sign language, along with British sign language, is recognised in Northern Ireland and in 2004 was formally recognised under the Good Friday agreement. Recognition of native sign language is being progressed quickly in other European countries such as Hungary, Iceland and, closer to home, Scotland. The Irish deaf community has approximately 5,000 members who use Irish sign language with approximately 40,000 people supporting them. It would not cost the earth to make the lives of these 5,000 people better.

In 1998, the European Parliament passed a resolution on sign language and in 2010 the Brussels declaration on sign language in the European union was signed. Will the Government examine these to see how we can advance Irish sign language? The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been ratified but not signed into law in Ireland. When will this happen? It contains four articles specifically relating to the deaf community on accessibility, expression, education and participation in education. The European Parliament initiatives on sign language are welcome but in Ireland we must look to countries such as Hungary which recently passed legislation and Iceland. Recently I was excited to read in a newspaper that ISL had been recognised but it was referring to Icelandic sign language and not Ireland. I ask the Minister of Education and Skills to follow Iceland's example and get Irish sign language recognised.

Reference to equality in education usually relates to third level. However, for deaf people who seldom have people to speak for them, we need to include preschool and primary school in the discussion. I was part of a small group which established the model school for the deaf which was a pilot project for three years and has ceased. It can be resurrected. Will the Minister of Education and Skills examine initiatives such as these? People in the deaf community who do things for themselves should be helped and Irish sign language should be supported. Deaf children do not have access to Irish sign language in schools and because of this they do not have access to a full curriculum or reach satisfactory levels of education. This is according to deaf people themselves. We must do something for them and advance this issue in the House.

A second requirement for equalising opportunity is to enable deaf students to do their examinations through Irish sign language. If our society is really interested in the deaf community and abolishing discrimination will the Minister of Education and Skills please consider what I have said?