Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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855. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the establishment of a voucher scheme, included in section 9 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, that would allow moneys to be provided by the State to facilitate social inclusion of the deaf community through access to activities and non-public services via interpretation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63516/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) is the national Sign Language Interpreting Service. Established in 2007, SLIS is supported and funded through the Citizens Information Board (CIB).  SLIS supports high-quality Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation services to ensure Deaf people can access public and social services and take part in Irish society as full and equal citizens.

Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 set out a support scheme to allow access to ISL users free interpretation to access events, services, and activities.

As Minister, I supported the CIB and SLIS in launching a pilot voucher scheme for users of Irish Sign Language to access free ISL interpreters for social, cultural and service needs.  The pilot ran for a four-month period to the end of October 2021.  An evaluation of the pilot was completed in July 2022, which reported that 160 deaf people accessed 272 vouchers. 26% of interpreter assignments were for private medical purposes, 24% for social events, 20% for education and training and 18% for public events and services.

The recommendations from the evaluation report will form part of any future voucher scheme to ensure it meets the needs of the Deaf community in Ireland and meets the obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.  The recommendations are to guarantee equal access to all Deaf users within the society as equal citizens in Ireland.  CIB is currently exploring with SLIS the options as to how the Voucher Scheme can be rolled out, using lessons from the pilot.         

In the meantime, my Department continues to provide funding to SLIS through its yearly operational grant; an allocation of approximately €459,000 has been provided for in 2023. 

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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856. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the voucher scheme under the terms of section 9 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 will be introduced on a permanent basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63524/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) is the national Sign Language Interpreting Service. Established in 2007, SLIS is supported and funded through the Citizens Information Board (CIB).  SLIS supports high-quality Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation services to ensure Deaf people can access public and social services and take part in Irish society as full and equal citizens.

Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 set out a support scheme to allow access to ISL users free interpretation to access events, services, and activities.

As Minister, I supported the CIB and SLIS in launching a pilot voucher scheme for users of Irish Sign Language to access free ISL interpreters for social, cultural and service needs.  The pilot ran for a four-month period to the end of October 2021.  An evaluation of the pilot was completed in July 2022, which reported that 160 deaf people accessed 272 vouchers.  26% of interpreter assignments were for private medical purposes, 24% for social events, 20% for education and training and 18% for public events and services.

The recommendations from the evaluation report will form part of any future voucher scheme to ensure it meets the needs of the Deaf community in Ireland and meets the obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.  The recommendations are to guarantee equal access to all Deaf users within the society as equal citizens in Ireland.  CIB is currently exploring with SLIS the options as to how the Voucher Scheme can be rolled out, using lessons from the pilot.

In the meantime, my Department continues to provide funding to SLIS through its yearly operational grant; an allocation of some €459,000 has been provided for in 2023.