The estimated 5,000 deaf people in the State are isolated and excluded from fully participating in society because there are not enough sign language interpreters and because public bodies do not think to provide them, a report published yesterday finds.
The report, Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland says sign language interpretation (SLI) services are in need of a "dramatic overhaul".
It calls for an increase in the number of SL interpreters, from 44 now to about 70 initially, for greater use of technology such as video phones in service provision and for more interpreters outside the main urban centres.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Séamus Brennan, endorsed the strategy in the review. "This report lists, in no uncertain terms what needs to be done and yes you will have the full support of my department."
Katie Burke, manager of Prospectus Strategy consultants which carried out the report, said it was "absolutely" the case that there were not enough SL interpreters.
"And everyone is agreed on that. The interpreters that there are are centred mainly in and around Dublin and then public bodies, such as Garda stations, A&E departments, don't think about being able to provide them."
Leonie Lunny, chief executive of Comhairle, said it was a responsibility Government would have to live up to, to make public services accessible to all deaf people.
The strategy as outlined in the report, would be rolled out in two phases and cost €2.95 million.
Phase one, which has already been embarked upon, will see the establishment of a statutory body to develop and oversee SL interpretative services; the development of a central booking service for interpreters and the assessment of appropriate technologies.
Phase two will include the roll-out of remote interpreting services and the installation of video phones in public service locations which could be used to access SL interpreters at a central point. The strategy has a time scale of nine years.
