Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

216. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm when the review of the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 will commence, as it is due this year. [3847/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 gave legal recognition to Irish Sign Language as an indigenous language in its own right, with “Irish Sign Language” meaning the sign language used by the majority of the deaf community of the State.

Section 10 of the Act places an obligation on the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on its operation, 3 years from commencement and every 5 years thereafter.

The Act states that this report must include an assessment of:

• whether any amendments to the scope and contents of the Act are necessary or desirable,
• whether additional provisions need to be made in relation to supports for a child within the school system whose primary language is ISL and,
• the qualifications for the minimum level of ISL competency for persons who are teaching a child whose primary language is ISL.

The National Disability Authority (NDA) was requested by the previous Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to prepare the first of these reports on his behalf, and it was published in 2021.

I am aware of the requirement for the next report, for completion 5 years post commencement, and can confirm that it will be commissioned and completed in keeping with the timeframes stipulated by the Act. This will inform a broader body of work focussed on improving access to interpretation services and ensuring ISL users can actively participate in all aspects of society.