Monday 25 March 2024

Public order case thrown in doubt over lack of interpreter

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/public-order-case-thrown-in-doubt-over-lack-of-interpreter-3JPN26FLXZEM5N26IHKY3TADLE/

25 March 2024

Public order case thrown in doubt over lack of interpreter

A case involving two men charged with public order offences including assaults has been thrown in doubt due to a lack of an appropriate interpreter.

Nivio Da Silva (22) from Scotch Street and Tome Pereira Moniz (36) from Brooke Street both in Dungannon are jointly charged with assaulting a male and using disorderly behaviour.

Da Silva is further accused of assaulting a female in the same incident which allegedly occurred at Northland Row on December 18 2022.

Defence barristers for the accused previously entered not guilty pleas to all charges at Dungannon Magistrates Court and the case was adjourned to allocate a date for hearing as a contest.

However, this is proving problematic as both accused are from East Timor and speak the Tetum language, which is one of two languages spoken, the other being Portuguese.

At the most recent court sitting a contest date again could not be fixed as the single Tetum interpreter cannot be available for the case, which in order to protect the legal rights of the accused, cannot proceed without translation.

A prosecuting lawyer advised “there are difficulties securing an interpreter” as there is only one working in Northern Ireland and he has expressed a conflict of interest and “will never be available”.

Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hara remarked: “Someone is going to have to come up with a more inventive solution such as getting someone to come from the south of Ireland or England.”

He was informed the agency which provides interpreters for court: “Are having difficulty in even sourcing one from England and don’t contract from the south.”

Judge O’Hare said: “This is against the backdrop of the defendants being unable to have a fair trial and follow proceedings. The PPS are going to have to look at this to find out the best way forward and if that is unresolved there will need to be legal argument on a stay of proceedings.”

He adjourned the case until April 3 with instructions for the PPS directing officer to review how they intend to proceed.

https://armaghi.com/news/dungannon-news/public-order-case-thrown-in-doubt-over-lack-of-east-timorese-interpreter/238572

Wednesday 20 March 2024

'Chronic crisis' affecting Cheltenham schools with children 'acting as translators' prompts call for answers

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/chronic-crisis-affecting-cheltenham-schools-9176208

20th March 2024

'Chronic crisis' affecting Cheltenham schools with children 'acting as translators' prompts call for answers

The “chronic crisis” affecting education in Gloucestershire, with some children acting as translators, has prompted civic chiefs in Cheltenham to call for answers. Cheltenham Borough Councillors are so concerned over the challenges schools are facing in the spa town that they want education chiefs at Shire Hall to brief them on the situation.

They are concerned that in some schools children with special educational needs, and those children with particular issues in relation to the speaking and understanding of English, are not receiving the help and support they need. Councillors backed a motion yesterday (March 19) which says too many children who have such needs are being failed by a system, which is grossly underfunded by central government.

They say this is leading to additional stress and workload being placed on teachers and teaching assistants and their desire to remain in the service and is adversely impacting those children who are already disadvantaged, their parents and carers. In some schools, young children are being asked to act as translators, as assistance is not being provided to those whose first language is not English and who have little or no English language ability. […]

Thursday 14 March 2024

Wales: Language barriers can cause medical harm – report

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68569298.amp

14 March 2024

Wales: Language barriers can cause medical harm – report

A woman who went to her GP with a urinary tract infection (UTI) missed the chance to catch her cancer early because she relied on her son to translate.

Dr Shanti Karupiah said when the woman was examined she was found to have stage four cervical cancer.

A Senedd report recommends translators are provided to patients to help avoid health conditions being missed.

The Welsh government said it would consider the recommendations.

The report by the Equality and Social Justice Committee said mistakes and misdiagnoses occurred often due to the "wholly inappropriate use of family members as interpreters in medical settings, rather than trained professionals".

Read more here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68569298.amp

 

Monday 11 March 2024

PQ: 11 March 2024

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2024-03-06.17313.h

Ministry of Justice: Interpreters

Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 11 March 2024.

Gregory Campbell Shadow DUP Spokesperson (International Development), Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the total cost to the public purse was for the Ministry of Justice Language Service Contract in (a) 2018 and (b) 2023.

Mike Freer Assistant Whip, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice

The total cost to the public purse for the Ministry of Justice Language Service Contract was £26,774,286.01 in 2018, and £24,992,225.55 in 2023.