Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1290. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [17420/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The State recognises the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language and the corresponding duties of all public bodies to provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation services when availing of or seeking access to statutory entitlements and services.

The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 clearly sets out the legislative responsibilities of all public bodies to provide interpretation services to an individual who is seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by that Public Body.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in a position to provide sufficient interpretation services in Irish Sign Language to meet all obligations and duties as set out in the Act.

As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.