Irish Sign Language (ISL) Scheme

In March 2022 the then Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan announced details on the implementation of the first phase of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) scheme which provides ISL in-school support for students who are Deaf and whose primary means of communication is ISL.

The new and enhanced scheme of support was introduced on a phased basis initially to support those students attending a mainstream school whose primary means of communication is ISL

This first phase of the scheme allowed for resources to be targeted towards supporting students and families where specific intensive support was required to access the curriculum and to allow for learning and improvement of the scheme going forward. As part of the expansion of the NCSE that was announced in Budget 2023, 40 dedicated new staff were allocated for the first phase of the ISL scheme.

Under the scheme, two new posts were created, an ISL – Specialist Classroom Support (referred to as ISL – SCS) and an Adviser Deaf/Hard of Hearing (ISL) (referred to as ISL Adviser).

The role of the ISL – Specialist Classroom Support is to consistently convey the spirit and content of the communication occurring in the classroom and enhance active engagement with learning and participation in school life by the student.

The focus of the ISL Adviser role is to build capacity in ISL across the school community including teachers, SNAs, other school staff and students.

Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee and Minister for Special Education Michael Moynihan announced the second phase of the scheme in November 2025 which outlines the enhancements to Irish Sign Language (ISL) Scheme provision. Circular 0072/2025 confirms details of how the scheme is being implemented, and outlines revisions to the criteria for the inclusion of students in the next phase of the scheme. The application process for the scheme is also detailed within the circular.

The scheme is being expanded to ISL support those students attending a mainstream school and who meet the following specific criteria:

• Confirmation that the student is Deaf after a medical assessment or an assessment for hearing aids, and,
• That Irish Sign Language is deemed the primary mode of communication and language for the student.