Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1273. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Gardaí or Courts Service have an in-house translation and interpretation function; the number of times a year the services of a translator or interpreter have been availed of in criminal investigations and court proceedings according to most recently available data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58267/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána outsources its translation and interpretation services on a multi-annual contract basis to service its ongoing needs in this area.

The following outlines the companies and contracts currently in place in relation to the provision of these services.

Translation and interpretation services are made available via these contracted suppliers and accessed as required by An Garda Síochána.

The level of detail requested is not data which is maintained or collated by An Garda Síochána centrally, and therefore cannot be provided.

Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.

The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie