Irish Sign Language Service Launched for Visitors to Fingal County Council Offices

Today, National Irish Sign Language (ISL) Day, Fingal County Council has launched an Irish Sign Language (ISL) service for visitors to their offices.

The Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS) is now providing a free service where Irish Sign Language users have access to a free online ISL interpreter at a chosen date/time to communicate more effectively with Fingal County Council staff.

The Council say using the IRIS service is easy to access and to use. Appointments can be booked through the Customer Care Unit in our Swords or Blanchardstown offices or by emailing [email protected] . The person must then arrive at their assigned booking time and date.

On arrival a member of Council staff will begin the Zoom video call with the ISL interpreter. The ISL interpreter will provide a link between the service user and the staff member so they can communicate effectively.

Cathal Kearney, Fingal County Council’s Access Officer, says this service is just one step that the organisation is taking to provide improved accessibility for anyone who is Deaf or hard of hearing. ‘Our interpretive service is now available for bookings, and we are looking forward to providing this important accommodation for in-person visits at our Council offices in both Swords and Blanchardstown. We are also preparing a Disability and Inclusion Strategy for Fingal and will be publishing a draft for public consultation in 2024.’