Written answers

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Irish Sign Language

Photo of Nicky McFaddenNicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

729. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if Irish sign language will be given legal recognition in accordance with the UN Human Rights Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45649/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish Sign Language". This process has already commenced. The National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at my request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people and submissions received from them were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (NDSIP) which was published in July 2013 on the Department of Justice and Equality website.

As part of the follow-up to that initiative, I will chair a special themed meeting of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) on the question of Irish Sign Language on November 28. This meeting, which will be the first such themed meeting of this Group, will bring together representatives of relevant Departments, the National Disability Authority, the Deaf community and other relevant stakeholders with a view to further progressing the implementation of the NDSIP in this regard. The meeting will in particular examine the current situation across Government Departments and their Agencies with regard to promoting recognition of Irish Sign Language including in service provision. The intention is that any actions which are identified and agreed through this process, will be incorporated into the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan with Key Performance Indicators and timelines and the actors identified for implementing the action. Progress on the actions will then be monitored as part of the Implementation Plan monitoring process.

The National Disability Strategy is part of a whole-of-Government approach to advancing the social inclusion of people with disabilities. The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy therefore comprehends many of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). In addition, an Inter-Departmental Committee on the Convention monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. Any further legislative or administrative actions that may be required in relation to Irish Sign Language in advance of ratification of the UNCRPD will be examined in this context.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.