Irish Sign Language Act 2017

Section 6 and 7 of the ISL Act sets out the statutory responsibilities on public bodies. The practical elements in these sections may be summarised as follows:

  • a “public body shall do all that is reasonable to ensure that interpretation into Irish Sign Language is provided for a person …when that person is seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by or under statute by that public body”  
  • the provision of interpretation shall be at no cost to the person concerned.
  • the provision of interpretation may be in person or may, if acceptable to the ISL user, be via a remote, web-based service.
  • Where the services of an ISL interpreter are to be procured, a public body must ensure that the interpreter accredited/verified as competent.
  • Please click here to view a list of Irish Sign Language Interpreters.
  • Through its provision of supports and accommodations to students, the DSS has an arrangement in place for procuring an accredited interpreter for students upon request. Further information can also be found here
  • The Ceremonies Office also makes arrangements for an interpreter to attend conferring ceremonies.
  • Further details on Irish Sign Language can be found by clicking here.