Reykjavik backs review of free interpreting limits

Reykjavik City Council has backed a proposal to review rules for publicly funded interpreting and consider setting a time limit on free services, mbl.is reported. The motion passed by 15 votes to eight and was referred to the City Executive Council for further consideration.

The Centre Party’s proposal urges the government and parliament to review interpreting legislation and establish consistent rules on individuals’ access to the service and how costs are shared between the state, municipalities and users. It says the review should specifically consider ending public contributions after a set period.

The motion’s explanatory note says Reykjavik’s interpreting costs, excluding state reimbursements and sign-language interpreting, rose from 55.3 million Icelandic krónur in 2020 to 127.1 million in 2024. It says interpreting should be ensured when legally required or necessary, including in cases involving children, social services, child protection, disability and legal safeguards, but argues that the current system’s scope and cost-effectiveness should also be examined.

The note says Icelandic proficiency is important for participation in society, independence and employment, and argues that lifelong free interpreting without regard to a person’s length of residence or circumstances could reduce incentives to learn and use the language. The council majority also said the city should consider how to encourage people of foreign origin to study Icelandic.

Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance, the Left and the Socialist Party opposed the motion. The Social Democrats said it evoked nationalism and hostility towards foreigners, and argued that the increase in interpreting costs amounted to 0.6 per cent of the city’s annual budget. The Left called the proposal disguised suspicion of immigrants and interpreting services.