A new report published by Crosscare Information and Advocacy Services, (including Crosscare Migrant Project, Crosscare Housing and Welfare Information, and Crosscare Refugee Service) reveals the difficulties experienced by non-English speakers in accessing social welfare supports.
The report was launched at Wood Quay in Dublin on Thursday 13th December 2018 by Crosscare, with Professor Mary Gilmartin (National University Ireland Maynooth), Dr Mary Phelan (Dublin City University), Crosscare volunteer Romanian interpreter Ciprian Torj and Danielle Mc Laughlin, Policy Officer, Crosscare.
Titled Do You Speak English?, the report presents findings from a survey with non-English speakers that Crosscare works with on their experiences of accessing interpreters in Intreo Offices. The report uncovers evidence that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) is failing to provide adequate access to interpreter services for people who are not English speakers and are seeking to access its services. The research found that 100% of the survey respondents were not offered access to an interpreter at a social welfare office. Non-profit services working with people who need support with interpretation and access to social welfare were also found to be unaware of the DEASP policy to provide interpreters on request, and have been stretching their resources to fund contract interpreter services or seeking volunteer interpreters to assist their services. Recruitment of appropriately qualified professional interpreters was also found to be a concern as the interpreter industry is not regulated in Ireland. The report offers recommendations on ensuring access to quality and confidential interpreter provision through best practice models.
Crosscare is seeking engagement with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Minister for Integration to pursue the recommendations of the report.
The full report is available below: