Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made on the recommendations of the Review of Sign Language Interpretations Services and Service Requirements in Ireland, published and submitted by Comhairle in September 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4337/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland report recommended the development of a service delivery model for sign language interpretation services based on a two phased approach. The first phase is to establish of a new entity to develop and deliver sign language interpretation services and commence the piloting of remote interpreting services using technologies such as videophones and the internet. The second phase is to develop and roll-out remote interpreting services. A three year timescale was recommended for each phase.

In line with the recommendations in the report, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) was established as a company limited by guarantee in March 2007. The Board of the new company comprises representatives drawn from the Deaf community, people with a background in delivering services to the Deaf community, from relevant public bodies including the Citizens Information Board, my own Department and the private sector. Three staff were appointed to the new service, a manager, administration and booking officer, and a finance officer. The service is based in the Citizens Information Board regional office at Tallaght. The new service has been operational since the beginning of April 2007, providing interpreters to meet the needs of a range of public bodies and the private sector. SLIS processed over 1000 bookings in the eight month period to the end of the year. An analysis of the bookings indicates that educational interpreting for third level colleges accounted for the largest area of demand followed by health and legal interpreting. SLIS has recently established a website and will shortly be taking steps to initiate a pilot in relation to remote interpreting.