The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 recognises Irish Sign Language as an official language of the Irish State and sets out Deaf peoples entitlements to Irish Sign Language interpreting.

Public Duty on Public Bodies

The Act places a duty on public bodies and courts to provide free Irish Sign Language interpretation when Irish Sign Language users are accessing services or entitlements. 

The State recognises the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language and the corresponding duty on all public bodies to provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when availing of or seeking to access statutory entitlements and services. (ISL Act, Section 3)

Accredited ISL Interpreters

The Act outlines the requirement for courts and public bodies to only use Irish Sign Language interpreters who have been verified by the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters.

A court or a public body, in compliance with its obligations under this Act, shall not engage the services of a person providing Irish Sign Language interpretation unless the person’s competence has been verified by having been accredited in accordance with an accreditation scheme funded by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (ISL Act, Section 7)

An Irish Sign Language interpreter will have their qualifications verified and published on risli.ie once they meet the registration criteria.