Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

In reviewing the above information, it must be borne in mind that figure 3.4 relatesto actual client numbers, not number of bookings. Therefore, the commercialsector may appear inflated as there could be a number of commercialorganisations which only booked interpretation services once or twice, whereas alarge educational institution will only be counted as one customer, however, maybook interpretation services hundreds of times.The pie charts in figure 3.5 highlight the case in point, and it is evident that inrelation to client spend, as opposed to client numbers, educational institutions aremost significant.The top ten clients generally account for over a third of the value of all feesinvoiced by Irish Sign Link. In 2003, the top ten clients accounted forapproximately 39% of all Irish Sign Link's fee income; in 2004 they accounted for33% and in 2005 (until August) they accounted for 44%. This indicates that there isa relatively small core client base that frequently uses the Irish Sign Link service.From figure 3.5 below, it is evident that the education sector is one of the mainusers of sign language interpretation services provided by Irish Sign Link. Thevoluntary and public sectors, are also significant customers of Irish Sign Link.The main service users from the education sector are third level institutions,including Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute ofTechnology, Roslyn Park College, the National Learning Network and BrayInstitute of Further Education. The services provided cover activities such asattendance at lecturers, tutorials, seminars and examinations.Figure 3.5 Top ten Irish Sign Link clients by expenditure (€) 2003-2005 132003 2004 200518,16319,05213,22216,57313,6354,78292,225104,87693,420EducationVoluntary SectorPublic SectorSource: Information provided by Irish Sign Link, August 200513 Note: This chart shows the total expenditure of Irish Sign Link's top ten customers on Irish Sign Link services; it is based on invoices issued to themby Irish Sign Link for sign language interpretation services accessed through Irish Sign Link. It does not include other expenditure by suchorganisations on interpretation services, not accessed through Irish Sign Link.Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland • page 47