The Irish Deaf Society and Senator Mark Daly have requested that Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreters are on the floor of the Dail for Taoiseach’s questions and in the Seanad for the Order of Business this week, while members from the community attend the public galleries.
The Irish Deaf Society’s (IDS) National Advocacy Service for Deaf people was forced to close its office with full loss of staff following an announcement by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government that its funding was to be discontinued with immediate effect. The announcement puts a halt to 11 years of services for the Deaf population of Ireland with an estimated 5,000 people affected.
The Senator has written to the Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach to request that both Houses of the Oireachtas have an ISL interpreter in place next week, when members from the Deaf community will attend proceedings.
Discussing the request, IDS CEO Eddie Redmond said: “We have requested that both Houses of the Oireachtas make an ISL interpreter available for the order of business next week. Our members find it difficult and frustrating to access public services where no ISL interpreter is available and we are fully entitled to attend and comprehend Dáil and Seanad proceedings. Following the cuts to our funding, we are seriously concerned for the welfare of Deaf community members, many of whom have come to depend on the advocacy service as the only viable service for them.”
The request is being supported by Senator Mark Daly, who is highlighting the issue: “There is nothing more ironic than a Government cutting funding for a service that speaks for people who cannot speak for themselves. They were told in an e-mail that their appeal would be heard by telephone. That is the equivalent of asking an illiterate person to make an appeal in writing. This issue needs to be highlighted and debated. Perhaps by the Deaf community attending Oireachtas proceedings next week, it may highlight the disadvantage that they have in relation to accessing a broad range of public services.”
The IDS advocacy service is particularly important as 80% of Deaf adults have literacy levels akin to those of 8 to 9 year olds and are 4 times more likely to be unemployed than the general population. The IDS is Ireland’s national representative group for Deaf people of whom their Advocacy Service is their main branch of work. Its closure leaves a gaping hole in services which sought to bridge a socio-economic divide between Deaf people and their hearing counterparts. Citing poor employment and salary prospects, low participation in 3rd level Education, and lower health expectancy, the IDS identified the Deaf population as a marginalised, socially isolated, and discriminated against minority group. The IDS’ Advocacy Service worked to provide access for Deaf people to public services, education, healthcare and the means to employment. The service’s closure puts the Deaf community at further risk of social and economic isolation and a decline in living standards.
The IDS are currently appealing the decision through Pobal on behalf of the Department.
ENDS
Contact:
In a unique media opportunity Senator Mark Daly (who is nominated by the Irish Deaf Society to the Seanad) and Eddie Redmond (who is a member of the deaf community) are available for media interviews – radio, television and the written press, which will clearly demonstrate the challenge faced by the deaf community in communicating their message.
Senator Mark Daly mark.daly@oireachtas.ie 0868032612 016183830
Eddie Redmond: Eddie@www.irishdeafsociety.ie Irish Deaf Society: 087 2345744 (text only) or 01 860 1878