Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [7276/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for delivering a wide range of schemes and services to its many customers. Many of these schemes are, by their nature, complex. In order to provide the best possible customer service it is important to ensure that participants in these schemes have a good understanding of their terms and conditions. To this end my Department endeavours to ensure that the language used in application forms, supporting documentation and information campaigns is clear, concise and accurate and that only necessary detail is provided and requested.

Bearing in mind the need to communicate clearly in both written and verbal communications, my Department also provide s step by step guidelines, user friendly explanatory manuals, question and answer sheets and working examples for most schemes, as well as telephone help lines to deal with queries. Our on-line applications facilities are designed to provide a clear, simple and efficient system for applicants to a range of the Department's schemes. This approach not only assists our customers in the application process but also reduces the number of errors in applications and facilitates a more efficient service for all.

In addition to the above and as part of its quality customer service, my Department has put in place a Farmers Charter which among other things is intended to provide information in relation to the delivery of services and implementation of schemes in a clear, simple and easily understood format.

My Department is also conscious that some of its customers may have literacy difficulties and cannot easily access, understand and/or use information on the Department's schemes and services. In this regard a dedicated Access Officer has been assigned to ensure that material can be provided in a format more suitable for individual circumstances, where this is required.