Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of cultural mediators currently employed at the International Protection Office; the languages they are employed to interpret; the number of cultural mediators present in the IPO on a daily basis; if they are subject to an interpreter's code of conduct; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34618/23]
View answerMy Department's objective is to ensure that applications are dealt with fairly and efficiently within the framework of Ireland's international obligations.
The International Protection Office has partnered with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a key UN body in this field, to provide cultural mediators to assist applicants in completing application forms and provide support and information in respect of the protection system in Ireland. All Cultural Mediators employed are subject to an interpreter's code of conduct, both an IPO and separate IOM Code of Conduct.
The role of the cultural mediator is to independently assist and support the applicant in the process, and is complementary to the provision of formal legal advice. Cultural mediators support customers through the application procedure in the language of their choice. The languages they are employed to interpret at the IPO reception are: Persian; Hindu; Urdu; Pashto; Kurdish; Sorani; Farsi; Spanish; Isizulu; Africaans; Ndebele; Setswana; Arabic; Tigrinya; Tigre; Amharic; French; Bangla; Georgian and Somali.
The Cultural Mediators also identify any signs of vulnerability, including unaccompanied minors, victims of domestic or gender-based and/or sexual violence and human trafficking. Presently, there are 12 Cultural Mediators employed at the IPO and all 12 mediators are present in the IPO on a daily basis.
All applicants for International Protection are encouraged to seek legal assistance at any stage of their application, be that at initial application stage, their substantive interview or later in the process. Applicants are also provided with the necessary interpretation supports at each stage of the process. Legal advice and representation, where required, is provided by the independent Legal Aid Board.
