Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
1391. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to increase supply of ISL-fluent teachers to improve ISL-competent assessment pathways and to standardise access to ISL interpretation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential. The Department recognises the importance of providing well-timed and appropriate support to pupils with identified learning needs, and the need to provide for education through Irish Sign Language (ISL).
The visiting teacher service for the blind/ visually impaired and deaf hard of hearing forms part of the NCSE support service for schools. They offer longitudinal support to children who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind or visually impaired. This service provides qualified teachers, who have particular skills and knowledge of the development and education of children with varying degrees of hearing loss/visual impairment to support the child, the school and parents.
In addition, a Working Group on ISL has been established to support the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and specifically the actions under Irish Sign Language - Strengthening the Pipeline of Interpreters. My Department is a member of this group.
Furthermore, my Department has agreed to fund the provision of ISL interpreters to schools for the deaf and for schools with special classes for deaf students in the following circumstances;
• For a translator to cover Croke Park hours
• Parent-teacher meetings
• Staff meetings
• Presentation to pupils from outside organisations
• Translating for international sign
• Translating for any professional conversation.
My officials are currently engaging with the NCSE to develop a mechanism to provide this funding in a fair and equitable manner.
There are currently four modules on ISL available as part of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. This course introduces students to ISL and aims to develop their expressive and receptive communication skills. The course also develops awareness and appreciation of the Irish deaf community and its culture.
It is a commitment under the programme for government to “develop a new curriculum for Irish Sign Language for primary and post-primary students up to Leaving Certificate level”. In addition, Action 5.3.9, to ‘develop a curriculum at primary and post-primary level for Irish Sign Language to support the learning of ISL and learning in other areas for ISL users’ is included in the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy published in May 2024.
Since publication of the strategy, the then-Minister wrote to the National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA) requesting them to begin work on the development of a curriculum in ISL. This direction reflected the commitment to ensuring that there is a standard ISL pathway for learners, both as a first language and as an additional language, and a possibility of a qualification in ISL for students which can be used to access third level education.
At primary level, the “Say Yes to Languages” programme for senior classes in primary schools was introduced in September 2021/22 in advance of the formal inclusion of foreign languages on the primary language curriculum on a phased basis from September 2026. Over the last four years, participating primary schools have used a wide range of sixteen languages as part of this programme, including ISL. In 2026/27, over 1,300 primary schools will participate in phase two of the programme for 5th and 6th classes as the new curriculum is phased in from 3rd class.
Opportunities for students to learn ISL are also available during transition year. Each school designs its own transition year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.
The NCCA is currently working on the development of an ISL curriculum. In September 2025, the NCCA established the ISL Expert Working Group, bringing together specialist expertise in ISL linguistics, deaf education, relevant policy developments and current ISL practice. This group meets regularly to support the development work.
In recent months, work has focused on engagement with primary and post-primary schools to gather the views of ISL learners, parents, teachers, school leaders, educational professions and the wider deaf community. This work has provided valuable insights on current ISL education, as well as perspectives on a shared vision for the development of an ISL curriculum.
These engagements, alongside initial research, have informed the development of a background paper for the development of an ISL Curriculum. This paper set out the key considerations and contextual factors that will support the design and development of the curriculum.
The paper was published by NCCA on March 11th, 2026 and is now open for public consultation. The consultation will run until May 8th, 2026 and provides an opportunity for educational professionals, parents and the wider public to have their say on the paper. Following the consultation, feedback will be analysed and a report will be developed to inform the next phase of curriculum development. Further information on the consultation is available at: /ncca.ie/en/about-ncca/irish-sign-language-isl/.
I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
