Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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553. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17422/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 recognises Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a native language of the State and provides that the “community of persons using ISL shall have the right to use, develop and preserve Irish Sign Language”.

My Department is committed to doing all that is reasonable to ensure free ISL translation services for ISL users when that person is seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by or under statute. It should be noted that my Department does not operate any public offices, nor does it generally supply direct services to the public.

The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department and therefore, any service requests will be supplied by my Department.