Civil servants to learn plain English

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is hiring outside expertise to make sure letters and forms for customers are written in plain English.

It also wants to train staff how they themselves can write leaflets and other documents in relation to its 70 different welfare schemes more readable. The brief for the editing its documents also extends to ensuring information on the department’s website is written in simple language that people can easily understand.

A minimum of one year, and up to three years of work, will be expected from the successful tenderer. At least 70 days’ work is expected to be involved each year, between editing and training duties.