Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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346. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether funding exists to cover the cost for a deaf person who wishes to use an Irish sign language interpreter to engage with a TD or local elected official; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62313/25]

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).

I was delighted to see the commencement of the "ISL Voucher Scheme" in October 2023.

Under the scheme vouchers are available to applicants for ISL interpretation for a variety of activities, such as private medical appointments, private legal meetings, educational and training courses, and events with family, friends and the community. Engagement with a TD or local elected official is covered under the Voucher Scheme.

All applications for vouchers can be made through the SLIS website, slis.ie/.