Minister Rabbitte announces commencement of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017

The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 was signed into law on 24th December 2017.
A Commencement Order was signed by Minister O’Gorman and Minister of State Rabbitte which provided for commencement of the Act today, December 23rd 2020.
The Act recognises Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a native language of the State and provides that the ‘community of persons using Irish Sign Language shall have the right to use, develop and preserve Irish Sign Language’.
The Act sets out requirements and obligations on public bodies for the provision of ISL services.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Ms Anne Rabbitte T.D. today confirmed that the Order signed jointly with Minister for Disability Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr Roderic O’Gorman T.D. has commenced the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.

Reiterating her statements to the Seanad on the 15th December, Minister Rabbitte stated that:

"The commencement of the Act is a milestone moment for the Irish Sign Language population for whom this is one of the most important pieces of legislation ever passed in this country. However, each and every one of us should share in celebrating this moment. At the end of this most difficult year we have the opportunity to recognise, celebrate and commit to support our unique, native and independent language.

"The Irish Sign Language Act recognises the right of the Deaf community to use ISL as their native language and to use, develop and preserve it. The Act places a corresponding duty on all public bodies to provide ISL speakers with free interpretation when availing of or seeking to access statutory entitlements and services. In addition, the Act provides for specific duties and obligations in the areas of legal proceedings, educational provision and broadcasting."

In announcing the commencement of the Act, Minister Rabbitte added:

"I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of work that has gone into realising this legislation, in particular my colleagues in Seanad Éireann, none more so that the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly whose tireless championing of this cause is commendable. However, above all, this day belongs to the Deaf community, the roughly 50,000 people who communicate in ISL on a daily basis as part of their work, or interactions with family and the 5,000 within that number who are native Deaf signers whose preferred language is ISL. They and those before them have long called for this moment. To them I say congratulations and that I hope and believe this legislation makes our country a better place for each and every one of you.

"Much work has been completed in getting our public services ready for commencement but I am also very aware that commencement does not mean completed. There is significant and evolving short and long-term work remaining to be done. I am committed to making sure that this is accomplished and, in accordance with Section 10 of the Act, I have arranged for the preparation of a report on the Irish Sign Language Act to be completed in 2021. This will give a clear picture of where we are and what is needed next to ensure the Act delivers for our ISL community."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

The Act is being commenced now in accordance with the Act which states that the Act shall come into operation on such day or days not later than 3 years after the passing of this Act.
A copy of the Act is available here.
An ISL Tuition Scheme run by the Department of Education provides ISL training to children and their families.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) provides funding for individual teachers and whole school staff in mainstream schools, primary and post-primary, special schools, and special classes to undertake courses in ISL, which are available throughout the country through a variety of providers.
The new Bachelor of Education (Irish Sign Language) is the first programme of its kind in the history of the State, it is a new undergraduate pilot programme in Dublin City University Institute of Education (DCU) that enables deaf and hard of hearing people who use ISL to enter primary teaching which commenced in September 2019. It is a four-year, full-time, honours degree specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing students who communicate through ISL. The course is accredited by the Teaching Council.
The Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) is the national Sign Language Interpreting Service for Ireland. Established in 2007, SLIS is supported and funded through the Citizens Information Board (CIB). The mission of SLIS is to ensure Deaf people can live as full and equal citizens. We achieve this by promoting, and advocating for the availability of quality interpretation services to Deaf people and service providers in Ireland.
A new company, the Regulatory Centre for Irish Sign Language, CLG has been established by SLIS, supported by CIB. Its function is to maintain the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) and the quality assurance scheme which will strengthen and guarantee the quality of ISL provision, by ensuring that Interpreters reach specified standards to be admitted on the register and then partake in continuous professional development to maintain their registration status.
Continuous Professional Development (CDP) training is being delivered by Trinity College’s Centre for Deaf Studies. Events were initiated in 2020 and will continue throughout 2021
Deaf Interpreters training delivered by Trinity College Dublin/Centre for Deaf Studies is underway, the first intake will graduate in Q3 2021. Given the high demand for places in 2020, a second programme is to start in September 2021 .
An app is currently being developed that allows a Deaf person to avail of the services of an ISL interpreter on demand, rather than on the current appointment basis and the technology is user friendly and easily accessible from a variety of devices which have integrated camera and speaker. The App is currently being piloted until May 2021 with an evaluation planned for Q2, which is intended to position the service for mainstreaming. When fully developed public services will be also be able to avail of a dedicated portal through the App, which will give them a direct calling facility to their Deaf clients, via an ISL interpreter.
A Voucher Scheme has been established which will allow individuals to book interpretation services to meet their needs in respect of access to social, cultural and education activities.
Covid19 health guidelines have impacted on the project timelines in this regard, and the commencement of the pilot is now scheduled for Q 2 2021, subject to compliance with public health guidelines in place at that time. The Pilot is scheduled to run for at least three months initially and will be subject to review in order to inform proposals for national rollout.