Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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56. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is implementing a plain English policy, as outlined by the National Adult Literacy Agency, in his Department's communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7283/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy can appreciate, most of my Department's external communications and publications are of a technical and complex nature.   We always try to ensure that they are explained in as plain a manner as possible.  We have been working over the years to improve the effectiveness of our communications through the use of infographics and summary presentations and reports.

Increased use of plain language is a stated action in the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016. The Reform Delivery Office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been working in cooperation with the National Literacy Agency (NALA) to help develop training and improve standards. They recently produced a handbook on the use of plain language in the public service which provides guidelines on writing in plain English.

My Department intends to follow the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's guidelines and build on our own efforts to-date to ensure that the documents are as effective as possible.