Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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666. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether he intends to amend the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 to ensure a complaints and conduct measure is introduced under section 9 of the 2017 Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16706/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 assigns responsibilities to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the funding of a scheme of accreditation for ISL interpreters (Section 7) and the provision of funds to facilitate ISL users with access to specific events, services and other activities, as specified in guidelines (Section 9).

The implementation of these responsibilities was assigned to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department.

In relation to Section 7 of the ISL Act, in 2020, CIB’s funded company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), with the support of CIB, established the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI). The first of its kind in Ireland, RISLI strengthens and guarantees the quality of ISL provision, by ensuring that interpreters reach specified standards and partake in Continuous Professional Development to maintain their registration status.

While Section 7 of the Act allows the establishment of an ISL interpreter accreditation scheme, independent legal counsel sought by RISLI confirmed that the legislation does not confer on RISLI sufficient authority to investigate complaints or potentially remove interpreters from the Register.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has responsibility for the ISL Act 2017. My Department has been actively engaging with DCEDIY on this matter and has been informed that it is intended that the forthcoming National Disability Strategy will recognise the need to review and, where necessary, update existing disability legislation, including the ISL Act.

My Department will continue to engage with DCEDIY on this important matter. The next National Disability Strategy will take action to uphold the quality and integrity of ISL interpreting for the Deaf community

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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667. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the register for Irish Sign Language interpreters has the power to investigate complaints made to it, and implement measures, up to and including, suspension from the register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16707/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 assigns responsibilities to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the funding of a scheme of accreditation for ISL interpreters (Section 7) and the provision of funds to facilitate ISL users with access to specific events, services and other activities, as specified in guidelines (Section 9).

The implementation of these responsibilities was assigned to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department.

In relation to Section 7 of the ISL Act, in 2020, CIB’s funded company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), with the support of CIB, established the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI). The first of its kind in Ireland, RISLI strengthens and guarantees the quality of ISL provision, by ensuring that interpreters reach specified standards and partake in Continuous Professional Development to maintain their registration status.

While Section 7 of the Act allows the establishment of an ISL interpreter accreditation scheme, independent legal counsel sought by RISLI confirmed that the legislation does not confer on RISLI sufficient authority to investigate complaints or potentially remove interpreters from the Register.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has responsibility for the ISL Act 2017. My Department has been actively engaging with DCEDIY on this matter and has been informed that it is intended that the forthcoming National Disability Strategy will recognise the need to review and, where necessary, update existing disability legislation, including the ISL Act.

My Department will continue to engage with DCEDIY on this important matter. The next National Disability Strategy will take action to uphold the quality and integrity of ISL interpreting for the Deaf community.