Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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54. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the provision of adequate Irish Sign Language interpreters in the courts to meet the needs of deaf persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12408/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that every effort is made to source interpreters when required by the Courts. However, this cannot always be guaranteed as sign language interpreting and, in particular, Irish sign language interpreting is a very specialised skill. Despite the best efforts of Courts Service staff, an interpreter may not always be available at short notice and, in these instances, a case may be put back to a later date to allow more time to arrange a sign language interpreter.