Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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411. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tusla compiles statistics on the number of deaf children the agency engages with each year; the number of deaf parents it engages with each year; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62314/25]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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412. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the extent to which Tusla parent support services and family support services are made accessible to parents who are deaf; if ISL interpretation is provided when deaf parents access Tusla programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62315/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.

Thank you deputy for your questions on this important matter. I propose taking two questions (63214/25 and 63215/25) together. I have referred these together, to Tusla, to provide you with a direct response, in relation to available supports, and collection of data.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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413. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider creating a national working group to review the way in which deaf families are identified and supported by Tusla, comprised by deaf professionals, advocacy organisations, representatives from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and representatives of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62316/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you for raising this important issue.

I am satisfied that Tusla, as an agile and responsive organisation, is very well placed to tailor its services so that they address the needs of service users and the broader public. Tusla, in conjunction with the Department, welcomes feedback from those in receipt of its services including deaf families their advocates and other involved stakeholders. Their feedback and cooperation with Tusla improves access and supports service improvement.

As you are aware, Tusla, as all state agencies are obliged to, provide its services through Irish Sign Language (ISL), in line with requirements under the ISL Act, (2017), which recognises ISL as an official language of the State.

In addition, Tusla has Disability Access Officers, across its services and around the country. These staff help ensure accessibility of services, where required, to arrange and co-ordinate the provision of additional assistance, or as a point of contact for people with disabilities, wishing to access Tusla services.