Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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363. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the State-funded bodies which currently provide Irish Sign Language interpretive services and the capacity in which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27037/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), which is funded by Citizens Information Board (CIB), is the national agency for the provision of sign language interpreting services across Ireland. SLIS seeks to ensure that quality interpretation services are available to deaf people throughout Ireland so that they can access public and social services. It provides a referral service, on request, by putting clients in touch with suitably qualified interpreters. In 2015 the number of referrals was just over 1,200.

The Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS) provided by SLIS offers a video-link service to a live Irish Sign Language interpreter. In 2015, IRIS expanded its service provision to offer a 5-day service (Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm). Over 1,200 bookings were managed by the service in 2015.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.