Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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758. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of registered ISL interpreters currently available in each county. [48537/25]

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).

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 the Citizens Information Board(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.

RISLI have confirmed the number of ISL Interpreters are recorded by region and not by county as requested by the Deputy. RISLI have outlined the number of ISL Interpreters per region taken from their register in the table below.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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759. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the barriers faced by ISL interpreters in the delivery of services, including issues in relation to recruitment, training, career, progression and retention; the steps being taken to address these challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48538/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, the State recognises the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language and the corresponding duty on all public bodies to provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when availing of, or seeking to access, statutory entitlements and services.

The Act 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).

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 Section 7 of the ISL Act, in 2020, CIB’s funded company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), with the support of the Citizens Information Board (CIB), established the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI).

The recently launched National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 outlines a number of actions to strengthen the pipeline of ISL interpreters.

One of these actions includes the recruitment of an Education and Accreditation Officer in RISLI. Following sanction from my Department for this officer, recruitment by CIB and RISLI is currently underway.

A further action under the strategy is to establish a Working Group on Irish Sign Language to consider the recommendations of the reporting by the National Disability Authority on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 with a focus on increasing the supply of Irish Sign Language interpreters.

The Working Group’s priority issues for 2025-2026 will include the following:

• Identifying the barriers to recruitment, education, and entry into the workforce for interpreting students and making recommendations to address these barriers.
• Working closely with the Further and Higher Education Sector to scope the provision and range of pathways and courses available, with a view to identifying opportunities to increase the numbers graduating with qualifications leading to careers as Irish Sign Language interpreters.
• Scoping the development of a quality continuous professional development programme for Irish Sign Language interpreters.
• Advising on awareness raising of Irish Sign Language interpretation and the Teaching of Irish Sign Language as a viable and meaningful career through Whole School Guidance and promotional campaigns.
• Identifying the requirements and appropriate structure for the regulation of Irish Sign Language teaching and delivery of curricula in schools.