Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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161. To ask the Taoiseach the manner in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. [17435/21]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 provides that all public bodies should provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when accessing or availing of statutory services.

While neither my Department nor the body under its aegis, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), provides any such statutory services to members of the public, both have committed to providing competent ISL interpreters, where requested, for relevant interactions with members of the public who cannot hear or understand English or Irish. In addition, my Department provides Irish Sign Language interpreters through the Government Information Service for live press events held in the Department.