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Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

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As shown in the table above, there are a total <strong>of</strong> 8 registered, qualified Irish <strong>Sign</strong><strong>Language</strong>/English interpreters, only 3 <strong>of</strong> whom work full time. Interpreters fromthis category are the only group who are deemed appropriately qualified <strong>and</strong>experienced to work in medical <strong>and</strong> legal settings. As such, there is a distinctshortage <strong>of</strong> interpretation services in these two specific areas.Relay interpreters are Deaf individuals who work as interpreters. They are in aseparate category given that they are Deaf <strong>and</strong> their first language is Irish <strong>Sign</strong><strong>Language</strong> - they are regarded as appropriately skilled to work as interpreterswithout undergoing any formal registration or accreditation. Relay interpreters<strong>of</strong>ten work with children, older people or those with mental illness, given thatthese groups can sometimes feel more comfortable communicating directly withanother Deaf person as opposed to an interpreter.Figure 3.8 Geographic distribution <strong>of</strong> interpreters used by Irish <strong>Sign</strong>Link (2005)Total number <strong>of</strong> interpreters26242220181614121086420Dublin Galway Limerick Kerry Sligo Laois Waterford Carlow Wicklow Louth Offaly CorkPart TimeFull TimeSource: Information provided by Irish <strong>Sign</strong> Link, August 2005From figure 3.8, it is apparent that there is a significantly uneven geographicalspread amongst practising interpreters, with the vast majority (26) operating fromDublin. However, in many areas outside <strong>of</strong> Dublin there is a marked shortage <strong>of</strong>interpretation services, with some counties having no full time interpreters basedin them.page 52 • <strong>Review</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sign</strong> <strong>Language</strong> <strong>Interpretation</strong> <strong><strong>Service</strong>s</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Service</strong> Requirements in Irel<strong>and</strong>

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