§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce interpreter training in Northern Ireland for those seeking to learn sign language. [157338]
§ Jane KennedyA programme to train Sign Language Interpreters was introduced in Non here Ireland in 1999 with funding from the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning. The programme—the Sign Language Interpreters Programme (SLIP)—was initiated by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). A number of Further Education Colleges also provide training in sign language, below interpreter level.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the case for providing signing to accommodate deaf people in any new Northern Ireland assembly. [157344]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyAny assessment for the provision of facilities for any new Northern Ireland Assembly, including signing to accommodate deaf people, is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission upon restoration.