Government Submissions

Why does the Irish Deaf Society make submissions to the Government?

Writing submissions to the government is really important because it's a way for regular people and groups to share their thoughts and concerns directly with the government. It's like having a say in the decisions that affect us all. By putting our ideas and evidence into these submissions, we help the people in charge make better choices about laws and policies. This way, the government can better understand what the public needs and wants. It's a way for everyone to be part of the decision-making process and make sure the government is working in the best interest of the people.

The Irish Deaf Society introduces the submissions

The IDS is the only national Deaf-led representative organisation of the Deaf, and it serves the interests and welfare of the Deaf community. It provides a number of education, personal and social services to Deaf children, adults, and their families.

The Irish Deaf Society is recognised as a Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO) under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). IDS are members of the World Federation of the Deaf and the European Union of the Deaf and have consulted with international Deaf representative bodies in relation to a number of societal issues that impact on Deaf people.

The Irish Deaf Society leads the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act Cross Community Group, which is a group of National organisations and service providers working in the Deaf community. We consult with this group in relation to topics of interest to Deaf people including the ISL Act and the topics discussed in this submission. This group includes the following members: Bridge Interpreting, Centre for Deaf Studies (CDS) TCD, Chime, Council of ISL Interpreters of Ireland (CISLI), Council of ISL Teachers (CISLT), Greenbow LGBTQ+, Irish Deaf Research Network (IDRN), Irish Deaf Youth Association (IDYA), National Deaf Women of Ireland (NDWI), Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), Deaf Reach Services and Deaf Sports Ireland (DSI).

There are no accurate statistics on the size of the Deaf community in Ireland, but it is estimated that 5,000 people communicate in Irish Sign Language (ISL) as their primary language together with a community of an estimated 40,000 including family, friends and those working in the Deaf community. The most recent data from the central statistics office show there are over 188,000 people who are deaf and hard of hearing in Ireland. However, not all communicate in ISL as their primary language, or many may not consider themselves to be part of the Deaf community. The IDS use the term Deaf to cover all Deaf people, regardless of the degree of hearing they have.

Submissions 2024

IDS Submission to the Department of Social Protection - Green Paper on Disability Reform

Download full IDS Submission to the Department of Social Protection - Green Paper on Disability Reform

IDS Responds on Behalf of Deaf People to Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) Requirements Gathering Survey

Download full IDS Responds on Behalf of Deaf People to Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) Requirements Gathering Survey

IDS Submission to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters - Planning for Inclusive Communities

Download full IDS Submission to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters - Planning for Inclusive Communities

Submissions 2023

IDS Submission to Comreg: Review of Service Provider Accessiblility Requirements

Download full IDS Submission to Comreg: Review of Service Provider Accessiblility Requirements

IDS Submission to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media

Download full IDS Submission to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media

IDS Submission to the Review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004

Download full IDS Submission to the Review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004