Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

qualified interpreters would be employed in phase two. People occupying thesepositions would fulfil the roles outlined in Chapter 7.The salary levels are based on public sector pay scales, with the staffing costs forphase one amounting to circa €567,000 over the 3 years, and increasing to €1.1million for phase two (years 4-6).8.2.2 PremisesA key assumption underpinning the funding estimates, is that new office spacewill need to be rented to accommodate the Irish Sign Language InterpretationService. It is assumed that this office space would be in a Dublin suburb (such asCityWest or East Point Business Park). Approximately 1,500 square feet would berequired to house the staff complement, described above, and would also includetwo remote interpreting booths, a meeting room and some general office space.The total estimated premises cost of €439,000, for the six year period, includes:• €105,000 expenditure in year 1, for office rental, overheads, fit-out costs andpurchasing office infrastructure (desks, chairs, meeting room table etc.)• The remaining €334,000 primarily for office rental and overheads/outgoings(service charge, local authority rates, insurance, 2 car parking spaces),amounting to circa €66,000 per annum8.2.3 Information technology and telecommunicationsThe total estimated IT and telco cost for the six year timeframe is approximately€405,900, with phase one accounting for €232,100 and phase two amounting tocirca €173,800.The development and rollout of the Irish Sign Language Interpretation Servicewebsite, including interpreter database and booking functionality is a significantcost incurred in year 1. Other set-up costs, in the same year, include the purchaseof supporting hardware (e.g. system hosting hardware, desktops, printer for theoffice), a statistical reporting package, and the technical build to establish tworemote interpreting booths. The €137,500 expenditure, estimated for year 1,includes these costs.From year 2 onwards, the IT costs are mainly associated with maintenance andsome further development work, together with the Irish Sign LanguageInterpretation Service's annual telecommunication cost. The average annualspend on IT and telecommunication, in Years 2 to 6, is approximately €53,500.8.2.4 Ten remote interpreting pilot sitesAs described in Chapter 7, a number of remote interpreting pilots should beestablished in phase one to support the implementation of the recommendedfuture SLI service model.For the purposes of these estimates it is assumed that there would be ten remoteinterpreting pilot sites established in phase one, with the requisite IT infrastructure(DC1000 videophone technology, computers and broadband) and training anddevelopment to facilitate its use.Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland • page 137