asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what support his Department has given in each of the last three years to organisations training interpreters for the deaf in Northern Ireland; and if he will specify how much in each year has been given for administration and for training.

In the last three years the Department of Health and Social Services has provided the following grant-aid (a) to enable deaf organisations to provide courses for deaf tutors or (b) to enable officers of deaf organisations to undertake courses in England leading to certificates in sign communication skills:

	£
1984–85	Nil
1985–86	887
1986–87	2,740

In addition, a seeding grant of £35,000 was made in March 1987 to enable the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People to commence a training programme in communication skills in Northern Ireland.