Job Interviews

FÁS have a special grant to pay for interpreters for job interviews.

Are you Deaf and going to a job interview?

You can get funding from FÁS for a sign language interpreter.

FÁS have a special grant called JIIG (Job Interview Interpreter Grant). It is for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech problem.

You can use this grant for

• a job interview
• training when you start a new job

Go to this page for more information.

Here is more information about other FÁS grants for people with disabilities in the workplace.

Social Welfare

If a customer is dealing with a public office e.g. Social Welfare Local Office, they should make their requirements for ISL interpretation known when arranging interviews and appointments.

The staff in the SWLO should then contact the Information Unit with this request for interpretation services.

The Information Unit based in Sligo are responsible for arranging interpretation services for customers (including ISL).

Give these contact names in the Information Unit to your local Social Welfare office:

Michael Hegarty – michael.hegarty@welfare.ie  – 071 9148344 

Annemarie Ahern – annemarie.ahern@welfare.ie  – 071 9148377 

Ray Walsh – ray.walsh@welfare.ie  – 071 9141229 

Sharon Kiernan – sharon.kiernan@welfare.ie  – 071 9141232 

You can also e-mail translations@welfare.ie – It’s the generic e-mail account for the Information Unit.

There is currently no SMS facility to request this service.

Thanks to Kerry Deaf Resource Centre for this information:

“INTERPRETING ACCESS TO DEPT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION.

In a recent Deafhear Killarney newsletter, they had an interesting article on interpreting access to Dept of Social Protection services.

“A senior Department of Social Protection official has informed DeafHear that the Department will always book an ISL interpreter when requested and required by Deaf clients.

The Department assured DeafHear that funding was not an issue and there was no limit placed on funding where interpreters were required.

The Department of Social Protection have an important role in providing welfare payments and new employment support service Intreo. The Intreo service will be very important as the services integrates welfare/income payments with information on employment, training and personal opportunities.

The Department would like to know of any instances where a Deaf client is/was refused an ISL interpreter when accessing services from the Department of Social Protection”.”