Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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236. To ask the Minister for Health if specific provision will be made in the 2014 disability services programme to assist deaf persons with an intellectual disability in residential and community care environments; his views on the level of sign language fluency among staff in such environments; if there is a minimum qualification in sign language required to work with deaf persons with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52412/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive National Service Plan for 2014 was submitted to Minister Reilly on Monday 25th November and is under consideration at present. The National Service Plan is prepared in accordance with the Health Acts and outlines the type and volume of health and personal services including acute hospitals, ambulance, primary care, mental health, older people and disability services. A breakdown of condition-specific provisions such as intellectual disability or deaf/hard of hearing services within the Disability Services Programme is not included in annual National Service Plans. I am not aware of staff ratios or qualifications required in sign language to work with deaf/hard of hearing people with an intellectual disability. Each individual circumstance would dictate the need and availability of financial resources, personnel resources, qualifications and training.

I published the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan at the end of July. The publication of the Plan, a commitment in the Programme for Government, is a significant step forward in ensuring progress is achieved in implementing the National Disability Strategy over the next three years. Last week I chaired a meeting between representatives of the deaf community and the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group on the promotion of Irish Sign Language in the public services. I can assure the Deputy that the issues raised will be considered as part of the on-going implementation of the National Disability Strategy.