To ask the Assembly Commission whether it will consider providing translation services to Members to assist them in carrying out their constituency duties.

As you will be aware, the Assembly Commission has made very significant investments in the translation and interpretation of plenary business and committee business (on request and subject to demand) in both Irish and Sign Language. In addition, the Assembly Commission has translated information on the Assembly into multiple other languages. The Assembly Commission has also translated the Primary and 8-10 sections of the Assembly’s Education Service website into Irish.

However, the Assembly Commission has no role in the provision of translation services to Members to assist them in carrying out their constituency duties. Instead, the Assembly Commission makes funding available to Members from their Constituency Office Operating Expenses (COOE) to cover the expenditure incurred in providing constituency services, including translation services.

The Assembly Commission will shortly be considering amending the level of COOE funding in order to provide greater support for Members in undertaking their constituency duties.