Written answers

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Irish Sign Language

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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42. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the motion passed by the European Parliament on 23 November 2016 regarding Irish Sign Language and sign interpreters (details supplied); her plans to provide for regulation and training of interpreters here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39168/16]

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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43. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recognition of the Irish Sign Language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39169/16]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.

The Department of Justice and Equality has recently completed a three-phase consultation process with a view to developing a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy. It is within this framework that I aim to address, in a practical way, the needs of the approximately 5,000 users of Irish Sign Language (ISL) in the State.

Issues in relation to the Deaf Community featured strongly in the consultation process and I intend that the new Strategy will respond credibly to the issues raised, including making a real difference in relation to facilitating the use of ISL. The key action in relation to this is a proposal for legislation that will ensure that all public bodies provide ISL users with free ISL interpretation when availing of their statutory services. In order to respond effectively to the needs of ISL users, a pragmatic and feasible approach is required, and I am certain that this action - and another action in the Strategy which relates to expanded translation services - will be an effective way forward once implemented.

A draft of the Disability Strategy will be prepared with the assistance of the National Disability Strategy Steering Group for consideration by Government in early January, and I intend that the Strategy will be in place shortly afterwards.

I am aware of the European Parliament motion referred to. Interpretation services for deaf people on a state-wide basis are provided by the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), which is funded by the Citizens Information Bureau (CIB) and also undertakes training of interpreters.

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