Manifestos from Political Parties
What will they do for the Deaf community if they want our vote?
General Election 2024
Our board member, Dr. John Bosco Conama, reviewed the political parties’ manifestos and gathered all the points relevant to the Deaf community and Irish Sign Language (ISL). He then explained these promises in ISL, highlighting how the political parties have promised to support the Deaf community.
Watch the following ISL videos, he explains what all the political parties have promised to support the Deaf community.
Now, it is up to you to decide and vote for who you think is best.
Manifesto by Fianna Fail
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> Protecting Ireland’s Economy & Enterprise (Progressive tax system) page 15
Widen eligibility for tax credits to provide additional supports to those with caring responsibilities and citizens with additional needs and their families. We will also examine the possibility of introducing a deaf tax credit for congenital hearing loss.
Supporting People with a Disability page 81 & 83
> Helping children get the therapies they need
Fianna Fáil in Government started the process of reinstating therapy staff to special schools.
We boosted funding to increase the number of therapists working in our Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). Additionally, we established specialist CDNTs focusing on the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, and those with sight loss.
> Independent living, independent lives
Reform the Blind tax credit and examine the possibility of introducing a Deaf tax credit for congenital hearing loss.
Manifesto by People before Profit
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Develop a plan to address the shortage of Irish Sign Language translators page 20
Manifesto by Fine Gael
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> Education and Special Education
Support Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Students: We will ensure every school for the deaf has qualified Irish Sign Language interpreters, enabling full participation in education for deaf and hearing-impaired students. page 14
Introduce Irish Sign Language Curriculum: We will develop a curriculum for Irish Sign Language for primary and post-primary students, including a standalone Leaving Cert subject. page 15
Manifesto by Labour
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> Education
Curriculums
An Gaeilge will remain central to our schools and Labour will trial the teaching of a full year at primary level in Irish and additional subjects at second level as Gaeilge. We will ensure education on sex and relationships is objective and inclusive. Primary schools will be resourced for the new foreign languages’ initiative, and technology and digital skills will continue to be integrated in the school day. We will review existing subjects and the provision of new additions for the second level curriculum including Irish Sign Language. Page 63
Manifesto by Social Democrats
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Provide additional funding for accessible educational material for deaf, blind, or vision impaired students. Page 59
Manifesto by Sinn Fein
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> Education page 67
Ensuring data on educational outcomes for people of the deaf and hard-hearing community and people with SEN is collated and progression reviewed.
introduce Irish Sign Language as a leaving certificate subject in 2025
introduce systems to monitor the academic attainment of children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired to better ensure these pupils are not left fall behind.