Deaf primary school student wins leave in ISL education case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

An unnamed deaf primary school student was granted leave to bring an Irish Sign Language education challenge in the High Court. The proceedings were reported on 28 July 2021.

The student, who is suing through his father and cannot be identified by court order, seeks an order requiring the Minister for Education and his school to provide an ISL teacher. He also seeks declarations that the respondents failed to provide an adequate education and appropriate supports under education law and the 2017 Irish Sign Language Act.

Justice Charles Meenan expressed concern about the court’s jurisdiction over teachers’ pay. In reply, counsel Derek Shortall said the action did not involve teachers’ pay but was about vindicating his client’s rights. The case was adjourned to a date in August.