AQW 51457/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail when the recruitment and selection of persons and bodies as outlined in section 5, 3 (b) of the Sign Language Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 will progress.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 9 September 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 9 September 2026
- Answer due by
- 24 September 2026
- Answered
- 25 September 202616 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Sign Language Partnership Group is a cross-departmental/Deaf sectoral forum, chaired by my department. Its current membership includes Deaf organisations and individuals who use and advocate for British Sign Language (BSL), Irish Sign Language (ISL) and Deaf culture. Its current membership includes:
Action Deaf Youth
Association of Sign Language Interpreters
British Deaf Association NI
Deaf Answers
Foyle Deaf Association
Hands That Talk
National Deaf Children’s Society
Northern Ireland Deaf Women’s Group
Royal National Institute for the Deaf
Sense NI
Visual Language Professionals
I am satisfied that there is sufficient representation within the Sign Language Partnership Group to satisfy the conditions laid out in section 5(3)(b), and my department does not intend to recruit or appoint specific, additional persons or bodies at this time.