Comhairle - Making Public Services Accessible for Deaf Community

HI all,

This information is of course old hat for all working interpreters in Ireland - we all know the impact of the Prospectus report on sign language interpreting, and the situation with the folding of Irish Sign Link and the establishment of SLIS. But for all who don't know the situation, here's the 2006 Press Release (below) as well as the report itself. Information is power as I always say.

Comhairle - Press release 13th November 2006

Sign language interpretation services in Ireland are in need of a dramatic overhaul according to a new report Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland published today by Comhairle. The estimated 5000 Deaf people in Ireland whose first language is Irish Sign Language (ISL) have fewer than 50 Sign Language Interpreters available to them. Some parts of the country have no service at all. This makes it very difficult for Deaf people to access basic state and other services. It can create almost insurmountable barriers for Deaf people trying to access emergency medical, legal or other services.

Pictured at the launch of a new report Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland which was published by Comhairle, were Chris Glennon, Chairman, Anne Coogan, from the Irish Sign Link Group and Katie Burke, Director of Propectus and Author of Report.

The report highlights issues of concern with regard to the current situation and in consultation with stakeholders recommends a model for future delivery of services in Ireland. A new organisation is to be established to deliver ISL services in Ireland. There are substantial costs involved but it estimated that the current service is seriously under funded and unable to meet the needs of many people who are deaf throughout the country.

Comhairle commissioned Prospectus to undertake the review in preparation for the requirement in the Department of Social and Family Affairs Outline Sectoral Plan 2004 for Comhairle to prepare a scheme relating to sign language interpretation services in Ireland.

Leonie Lunny, CEO, Comhairle said: "The challenge for Government is to effectively deliver on its responsibility to make public services accessible to the Deaf community, through the provision of Sign Language Interpretation Services. While there are no precise figures for the number of deaf people in Ireland, the Irish Deaf Society puts the figure for deaf people whose first language is Irish Sign at 5,000 "

The report includes a review of existing services and service requirements, research on international best practice and, based on this information, sets out an approach to the development of an Interpretative Service. As part of the consultation process workshops were held with members of the Deaf Community (e.g. Irish Deaf Society and National Association of the Deaf), public sector service providers and organisations (e.g. Irish Sign Link) and individuals with a particular expertise or involvement.

The report recommends a phased approach to service delivery:

Phase 1 (cost estimated at €1.35 million)

• The establishment (in the first 3 years) of a new entity – the Irish Sign Language Interpretation Service (ISLIS), to develop and deliver quality SLI services and commence piloting remote interpreting.


• This new entity, ISLIS, with appropriate funding levels to ensure effective service delivery, will put in place a responsive, professional and user friendly central booking system and develop a repository of relevant management information on SLI services, as a key data source for future developments.


• ISLIS will also assess the appropriate technology for SLI services in Ireland, highlight the benefits of technology enabled remote interpreting (e.g. using videophone and webcam) to complement face-to-face interpreting and plan and pilot the use of appropriate technology.

Phase 2 (cost estimated at €1.6 million)

• To develop (in years 4 to 6) and roll out remote interpreting services.


• Videophones and other appropriate technology will be installed in public service locations.


• ISLIS interpreters will be employed or contracted to meet demand and staff the service on a rota basis.


• The Irish Sign Language Interpretation Service will be funded and supported by Comhairle. It will be managed by an independent Board of Management and will be staffed by a team of Manager, Finance Officer, Administrative / Booking officer and a part-time Project Manager.


• An SLI Advisory Group will include stakeholders from the Deaf Community, representative organisations, advocacy groups, users of SLI services and service providers, interpreter associations and international experts.

press release ENDS

Editors note: No specific legislation exists regarding the rights and entitlements of deaf people to SLI services. The first sign language interpretation service, Irish Sign Link, (SLI), was set up by the National Rehabilitation Board in 1998. Currently, there are 44 interpreters on Irish Sign Link's database. They are self employed, working on a freelance basis. 26 operate from Dublin, which gives an uneven geographic spread.

Comhairle is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy to the public on the broad range of social and civil services. (It is now known as the Citizens Information Board. -Cormac)