Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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754. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress made to date in respect of implementing the recommendations specific to his Department outlined in the Report on the Operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 to improve the functioning of the ISL Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22769/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (the Act) was enacted on 24th December 2017 and commenced on 23rd December 2020. The Act recognises the right of Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to use ISL as their native language, and to develop and preserve it. The Act places a statutory duty on all public bodies to provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing of or seeking to access statutory entitlements and services. In addition, the Act provides for specific obligations in the areas of legal proceedings, educational provision and broadcasting.

In accordance with section 10 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (MCEDIY) is required to publish a report on the operation of the Act. In line with this requirement, the National Disability Authority was asked by the MCEDIY to prepare a report on the operation of the Act. The report on the operation of the Act can be accessed as follows: nda.ie/publications/report-on-the-operation-of-the-irish-sign-language-act-2017-december-2021

The report contains two recommendations which are relevant to my Department. Recommendation 1 seeks to review and develop an action plan to increase the supply of interpreters whereas recommendation 4 seeks to determine the number of placements required in higher education institutions to sufficiently provide for ISL training to teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and ensure this number of placements are established. Both recommendations require cross departmental support.

Full consideration will be given to the recommendations and the conclusions of the report, including the two recommendations which are relevant to my Department. I understand that inter-departmental engagement will be required to develop whole of government actions to improve the implementation of the Act in the short term and throughout the next reporting period. My department will actively engage in this process in due course.