LETTERKENNY University Hospital spent more than €500,000 on interpreters in 2025, we can reveal.
Figures provided to the Donegal News from the HSE through a request under Freedom of Information (FOI) law shows how much was spent on interpreters at LUH last year.
The FOI states that the total expenditure on interpreting for LUH in 2025 and inclusive of VAT was €530,331.
Interpreters were provided for in 39 languages. The most common was Ukrainian/Russian and Arabic.
Interpreter services are arranged in line with the HSE National Consent Policy, which requires that patients receive information in a way they can understand, including through a professional interpreter where a language barrier exists.
A HSE spokesperson said: “As a public body, the HSE also has a statutory duty under the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty to provide accessible, non discriminatory services, which includes ensuring effective communication for all service users. These interpreters are utilised within an ever-growing and increasingly demanding hospital service, where rising patient diversity and clinical pressures continue to drive the need for timely and reliable interpreting support.”
The spokesperson added that the HSE provides interpretation services for clients who can’t communicate in English, where it is deemed appropriate.
“The HSE also translate written materials from clients who may communicate in their spoken language Each service makes local arrangement for these services individually. The HSE is subject to the provisions of the Official Languages Act.”
