Irish Sign Language Act 2017

Educational supports for deaf children

5. The Minister for Education and Skills shall—

(a) establish a scheme for the provision of Irish Sign Language classes to—

(i) the parents, siblings and grandparents of a child who is deaf, and

(ii) other persons who serve in locoparentis or as a guardian to a child who is deaf,

(b) pending the conclusion of the review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme which the National Council for Special Education is undertaking and the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review, establish a scheme to provide Irish Sign Language support for children attending recognised schools (within the meaning of the Education Act 1998 ) whose primary language is Irish Sign Language,

(c) ensure there is established by institutions of higher education in the State, as part of programmes of teacher education and training provided by those institutions, such provision, as he or she deems necessary, to ensure that there are a sufficient number of educational placements offering Irish Sign Language training for teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and who are attending recognised schools, and

(d) shall, where practicable and having regard to the need to ensure the provision of education and support services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing and who are attending recognised schools, determine, from time to time, minimum qualifications of teachers of those children.