Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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517. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 12 March 2019, if data can be recorded centrally for future record keeping. [13355/19]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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518. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 12 March 2019, the method used for a prisoner to request the services of an Irish Sign Language interpreter. [13356/19]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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519. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 12 March 2019, his plans to follow up Irish Sign Language training in Mountjoy with refresher courses; and if the QQI level 3 Irish Sign Language course will be offered to staff in other prisons. [13357/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 to 519, inclusive, together.

My officials in the Irish Prison Service have indicated that a prisoner can request the services of the Irish Sign Language interpreter through a number of channels. The official method a prisoner can request this service is through the Governors Parade. However, a prisoner can also request the services of an interpreter through the class officer, medical staff or any other member of staff.

I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that it is now standard practice that all prisoners committed to Prison or a prisoner transferred between Prisons are subject to a committal/transfer interview. As part of this interview, a prisoner is asked whether they require an interpreter in a particular language including Irish Sign Language. This information is recorded on the Prisoner Information Management System.

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that Irish Sign Language Courses including refresher courses are not scheduled in the current training programme for 2019.