Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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171. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (ISL) within his Department and its associated public bodies, including details of any ISL strategies that have been developed; and if no ISL strategy has been developed to date, the details of plans his Department has to address this gap in the near future. [17970/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 assigns specific 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 social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities as specified in guidelines (Section 9).

I have assigned the implementation of these responsibilities to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory agency under the aegis of my Department.

In relation to Section 7 of the ISL Act, the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) was established in December 2020. Prior to establishment, CIB conducted significant research into international policies and standards, undertook extensive consultation with the Deaf community and other stakeholders, and developed and externally reviewed policies and procedures. A separate company was also established to ensure operational independence of the Register.

The first of its kind in Ireland, RISLI is a standards-based registration system for ISL interpreters. It aims to strengthen and guarantee the quality of ISL provision in Ireland, by ensuring that Interpreters reach specified standards to be admitted on the Register. RISLI also aims to support ISL interpreters to meet and maintain these standards by partaking in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain their registration status.

Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of ISL to access "social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities". This Scheme does not replace the requirements of public bodies under the ISL Act to provide access to ISL for those who need it.

I assigned the implementation of this important responsibility to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which in turn assigned delivery to its relevant funded company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).

In relation to my Department's commitments under Section 3 and Section 6 respectively, the Department provides an ISL Interpretation service to any customer who may request or need this service in order to interact or engage with the Department. This service is advertised on our website and in our offices, as part of our Customer Charter and Action Plan. ISL Interpretation is provided free of charge to customers and the Department ensures that interpreters assigned to DSP are registered with RISLI.