To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the Sign Language Bill, including the policy area in his Department that will take this work forward.

Given its cross-cutting nature, I have received Executive approval for my officials to engage formally with the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) for the drafting of clauses for a Sign Language Bill. I hope to introduce a Bill to the Assembly at the earliest opportunity which will recognise and promote British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language.

This work is being progressed by the Sign Language Policy and Legislation Branch within my Department’s Culture Division.