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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD make more of an effort to provide all public information in plain English, according to the National Adult Literacy Agency.
NALA said that a recent survey it conducted found that 95% of respondents approve of such a move, noting that almost half (48%) find official documents, including information from the Government, difficult to understand.
Respondents also said that they sometimes find jargon, terms and conditions, and financial information challenging.
Image: Reaction Gifs
The NALA petition had been signed by over 550 people at the time of publication. The organisation is hoping to reach 5,000 signatures.
The document calls for public information such as letters, forms and information leaflets to be written in 'plain English'. This means:
Here's an example of a standard hire purchase contract term before and after its content has been changed into 'plain English':
Before: Title to property in the goods shall remain vested in the Company (notwithstanding the delivery of the same to the Customer) until the price of the Goods comprised in the contract and all other money due from the Customer to the Company on any other account has been paid in full.
After:We will own the goods until you have finished paying for them.
NALA Director, Inez Bailey, said that "both citizens and governments benefit from clear information, written in plain English".
"Citizens are more likely to understand their rights and governments are more likely to make better use of their resources.
Using plain English can also save the public sector time, money and possible frustration by having to take repeated requests for information.
Last year Britain’s civil servants were banned from using certain jargon, such as: 'slimming down'; 'foster' and 'deploy'.
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Yellow on white yesterday, green on blue today…. It might seem a small thing but visually it’s hard to read your graphic.
I agree. Silly mistake.
It’s not hard to read…..its impossible!
Can’t go wrong with white with a black edge.
Nothing better to do than moan about colours on a infographic. Sad world really
Terrible graphics.
Ciaran nothing better to do than moan about other posters? It is damn near impossible to read because of the colour choice. Trying to fancy up the map.
No problems reading it.
I don’t even know where to start with this article and graphic, it is indisputably abysmal.
Firstly the appearance is just awful. The colours you have used in an effort to make the graphic more digestible or aesthetically pleasing make it illegible in parts. To add to that the colour labelling is inconsistent. For some countries you have chosen one colour from their flag (Ireland), others all colours (Spain) and for others just a colour we associate with the country (Netherlands). Why are some countries bevelled and others not? No reasoning or scale is provided to explain what this means.
Furthermore you appear to have selected 11 countries at random to include in the graphic. Why are you using Ukraine, which is neither in the EU or the Eurozone, as a comparison to Ireland yet leave out far more suitable comparisons such as Austria or Denmark?
As for the application of the data, I don’t even know where to start. You can’t just pull out average minimum wage figures from different countries and compare them without other variables. Using one other measure (the Numbeo Rent Index) as a benchmark is simply not enough. Then you are claiming a country like Germany has a blanket minimum wage which is just not true. In several European countries the minimum wages are based on industry or vocation rather than nationally across all sectors.
If this is indicative of the type of work that’s acceptable at the journal it’s a sad state of affairs. Paul, you should have learned your lesson after the calamity that was yesterday’s article. I suppose at least you didn’t label Sardinia as Malta this time. I have enjoyed many of your articles in the past but leave the economic analysis and graphics to the experts.
The Guardian are running a one day data visualisation seminar, you might like to check it out.
http://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/data-visualisation
*14
The €2.34 poland really jumps off the page…Dell…Limerick (I found graphic ok btw). Just shows how impossibly difficult it is to compete with Eastern Europe. Seems to me the EU did us no favours economically including these in free trade block. I know another international company spent 300mil opening factories in another eastern european country w/ vv low wage rates. If ukraine get in things will get worse. UkR with such low wages is a good prospect to companies wishing to lower production costs and I imagine this is behind US lead push there….in eu…access to eu market…fraction of western eu production costs…
well, i’m just back from germany (min wage 8.5) – LIDL :red wine merlot from chile- ireland e5,99 germany e1,45 ; killbeggan irish whiskey – everywhere in ireland – e27 , germany e14 ;most of products cheaper 2 times health service – mostly free- including fillings at the dentist etc……getting ill- u are paid 100% from the very 1st minute of ur sickness and for 2 first days u do not have to bring gp note; redundancy- 1 st year 100 % of your salaries; maternity – about 70 % of ur earnings through a year or sth….samsung galaxy note 3 — geramany ( mediamarkt) e300 – ireland about 600….s galaxy 4 – germany 299 , ireland 375-450 …..wtf??????????
Edna must be giggling into his can of Lilt, with his €100/hr. + expenses & pensions,
The most difficult part of his job is trying to keep a straight face.
Well he does have a difficult and important job, hence the big pay.
Antrim
A messenger boy for Angela Merkel is neither difficult nor important…
Are you being serious more important than the president of the United States. Enda is paid more am I right?
I’m sure Enda’s expenses are a fraction of a percentage of running the White House, the secret service and keeping Air Force one flying…
What this doesn’t take into account is the fact that the Nordic countries don’t have a minimum wage. Yet you can take your employer to court for giving you an “unfair” wage, or a wage that causes hardship. The unfair wage is not defined in legislation, so all employers err on the side of caution. For flipping burgers in Stockholm, you’ll get €13/hr.
So since Ireland is just behind the Nordic countries in terms of the cost of living, but we have a much lower minimum/average wage…the conclusion seems to be that all things considered, Ireland is relatively the most expensive country in Europe in which to live.
The Nordic countries pay much higher taxes, higher rates of income taxes, and food is much more expensive. People pay more income tax in France and Germany.
Are you that same David Higgins that said that the Lisbon Treaty allows Europe to conscript Irish People into an Irish army ? Or are you a different David Higgins ?
I only ask because the last lad was completely and ravingly incorrect and it is important to protect Ireland from such incorrect postings – no offence meant either way !
2015 €8.65.
2005 €8.65.
We have not come very far, have we?
Dennis, you make an important point. Too many politicians in ireland cite nordic countries taxes they feel should apply here but I surprised to see salaries in denmark are nearly double that in ireland. Same would apply in sweden and norway. However all these countries stayed out of the euro. I think only finland joined.
Yeah, they also forget to tell us that despite paying high taxes the Nordic workers in general have a higher level of their wages left as disposable income as many services we pay for in Ireland, such as health and childcare, are subsidised or free in many Nordic countries
No Car Tax in France since 2001. Income tax is progressive .. more you earn more you pay. Irish Car Tax is obscene and most regressive. Wealthy who can afford new cars subsidised by those who cannot. €280 p.a. for new car – €951 p.a. for equivalent 10 yr old car. Wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else. Disgusting place to live.
€8.80 in Italy???? wtf are they flocking to here then? surely an error. Perhaps lack of jobs there, but they go on as if its 3rd world there. agh but poor mouths, watch out for that, mission to gain.
Nordic country % are not given up there, though i’d imagine they’re just as f**** with massive inward migration. Good night watt, hello capital man.
Well, I’m none the wiser.
Where’s Jon Snow to explain all this?
He knows nothing about it
Neither does Paul but it didn’t stop him trying..
These articles are shocking bad
Someone has to protect the wall
The wall has been breached – Let’s see if Europe can pay the Iron Price ?
Now we can see how by sending Irish Children Allowance rates to Eastern European countries facilitates the transfer of the Irish Sovereign Wealth to the East of the Empire – Germany are very pleased with this arrangement I hear – and seeing as they set budgets illegally under Enda’s nose then Ireland needs a new government A.S.A.P.
That doesn’t happen any more.
What budgets are Germany setting in Ireland?
This one we know about – it means the Government have been an anti-constitutional illegality since – End and all the boys and girls know it – hence my disgust at all sides of the house !
Viewing (insane albeit) budgets isn’t SETTING budgets. I asked what budgets the Germans are setting in Ireland?
hmm yea, of course they’d ‘apparently’ work hard here too for €2.35 :/ would anyone? nice incentive to come here inc. the children’s allowance then save save save like they do, penny pinch and live in your ears and pockets.
You have someone living in your ear? I’d see a doctor, if I were you. Is also get my xenophobic tendencies checked out.
But the constitutional position is that they must be initialized in Dail Eireann – you probably don’t know that nor do you probably understand the legal signifigance !
Let me put it this way – if it can be proven that the German Parliament approved a budget that was discriminatory in favour of the single person (high rent yield) as opposed to the family (constitutionally protected) then the German’s have exposed themselves to a reparations case –
the e.u. was fired out of Paris before Christmas by protesting French farmers – Greece is now utterly insolvent and only now are the E.C..B going to hit the print button to save the Elite’s worthless hides …..this policy of quantiative easing has just weakened the euro in oil prices – it should have been done when the American sand the british were at it !
they don’t get to live in our ears anymore, we’ve learned. we won’t integrate either unless penny pinching goes. its give and take in this world. build bridges and all that.
Correct Paudi – The biggest problem with Irish politicians is that they are afraid they will be exposed – Haughey was exposed and we didn’t riot – they fail to see that – They are their own worst enemies entangling themselves in a web of lies – which was fine until their lies began to eat into middle Ireland and push it into poor Ireland – when that happens there’s always going to be a reckonin’ – one way or the other !
Dermot, a local newspaper in a baltic country provided a guide on social welfare benefits in ireland. It is usually better to get benefits here than work over there. Usually people on the dole here top it up working on the side anyway. Maybe Paul could include hourly wages in the baltics…u’d get a shock! This is the driver for baltic emigration. Since leaving Soviet Union the baltic population has dropped 20%
Damian:
social welfare fraud is 1%. Infact; less since half of that is attributed to “administrative error” on the part of the DSFA. This is the official figure.
ITS Student, “1% is fraud”. Untrue. This is only a reported figure. I know loads of people on the dole who top it up working and so do many others.
1% It is the official figure for Ireland. It compares favorably to an average of 5% fraud in the EU states.
i await the reckoning Dermot, i’m well ready, more ready than the flies who don’t realise all is not really ok as long as double, triple € is = to this and that. lol funny really, childlike sums.
Shocking min wages in Spain and Portugal, thought they were a lot more than that.
But everything in Spain is so cheap!
All relative to the cost of living
so thats why they won’t work for it, and come here. it’s why we won’t work for it either and go the choice of what, 5 countries? unfortunately it means to the other side of the world. one leaves, another arrives. import/export. a game of swap.
You need to view min wage in its purchasing power form to get a true picture.
Try this http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Minimum_wage_statistics
can’t we just let Dublin sink into the Irish Sea, then spread things out a bit with a clear sheet. Jobs for the Irish.
The minimum wage in Ireland should be significantly higher than it is, but only when compared to the level of benefits available, especially for those with large families, get my drift.
the SW bill would be significantly lower too, if it all stayed here and we hadn’t the ‘extra’ mouths to feed.
The EU is built on free movement. It’s European law too.
well now, won’t it be interesting to learn and is beyond inevitable doubt at this stage and that IS coming (UK), that what you want built to reap those benefits will be the very thing that levels it. It was always going to be inevitable. How the f*** can it be equal? If those new states, no hold on, if more than those new states to inc. spain, greece, portugal and greece, got the finger out and offered employment to their own people then perhaps we would not have to ‘prop’ up their offspring.
Eurostat provides data on minimum wage in purchasing power terms I believe i.e. The MW taking account of price differentials in different countries. That may be more insightful Hugh.
Oh wait, your name is not Hugh. My apologies Paul.
Correct Gavin – Paul’s articles are usually well researched and well written, but this one is a bit meaningless without the all-important benchmark against purchasing power.
Sorry Paul!
It’s important to note that the minimum wage of the Netherlands isn’t a flat €8.53 as suggested by the image. They have a rising payscale depending on age with the minimum being around €4 for someone aged 16 and rising to €8.53 for an individual aged 23+.
From my understanding other EU countries also operate a similar scale.
Ours is in a sliding scale too, it’s lower for your first 2 years in employment after turning 18, even lower for under 18s.
Many small businesses get around this by paying some staff, especially part-time staff, cash. It can be beneficial for the staff too, cash can keep a couple in a lower tax bracket.
?
Where the graphics for this article chosen from a first class art competition?
Nah – third class !
Are all these study done with cost of living involved in them
Germany is literally just bringing in the flat charge of 8.50 from January first, before that it varied hugely.
The minimum wage is only one part of an employees compensation package. Employers across Europe also pay Employers’ PRSI which is, on average, double what Irish employers pay. Then there are pensions and other items. It’s not about the simple headline figure that employers want you to believe. We’re an exceptionally low cost economy when it comes to total employment costs. Maybe that’s an article the Journal could do?
Dave, this is no longer true. The eu now includes many eastern european states. A graphic showing the differences between countries would reveal huge extremes for: social welfare, min. Wage, salaries, income tax/social insurance. Many eastern eu states have no dole whatsoever after 6 months…so many are forced to come to ireland/uk. The large companies take advantage of low salaries eg. Dell, but those states by not giving dole to people can easily show good macro economic data (debt levels to gdp etc).
Employers PRSI is double that of Ireland in most other EU states. Most EU countries provide free healthcare (unlike Ireland), free education (unlike Ireland), public services aren’t charged individually (unlike Ireland).
ITS student, you said “most eu countries”. This is no longer true. Look at estonia, latvia, Lithuania, poland, romania, slovakia, slovenia, czech republic. These are all eu countries we have to compete with.
You mentioned 8 states out of a total of 28. So to put that in context; there are 20 member states with substantially higher employers’ PRSI tax than Ireland.
And yet, the jobbridge scheme will pay out a maximum of €238 per week, up to 40 hrs. This has the employee working at €5.95/hr. It’s understandable that some companies do give the member of staff some money on top but this is never a guarantee. How are people expected to live off a weekly wage like that?
Luxembourg €11 that’s more like it!! Take a leaf Noonan
Mark, wont work. Thanks to our mep’s in brussels we have to compete with eastern eu states to whom we have lost a lot of jobs and this will get worse as these have about 15 years ago incorporated english language into schools so a new generation of english speakers is emerging. Before companies did not have options as they usually spoke their own language and russian.
I’m moving to the Ukraine and setting up a factory with European Fundind and Ukrainian Satate funding – at 44 c per hour it doesn’t matter what I make I will be able to decimate any Irish Factory owner –
I think I will set up a fish factory and process Paddy’s fish and sell it back to him labelled as “European !” ..
I’ll be rich – Rich I tells yas !
Dermot, and that was the plan all along with Ukraine to open the door to big business and peanuts wages but access to eu market. Just one major problem; ukr has 40million people who can only dream of repeating what the baltics/poland did…..Leave and get into the system here/UK.
Hey Damien
I was watching CNN today and there was a piece on Serbia – a promotion video the term I took from it was – “Highly skilled Cheap labour ” – I thought there’s another European Country advertising their country as slaves – I wonder if Jobbridge was advertised on C.N.N by Richard Bruton or something …..
Free healthcare in all European countries (unlike Ireland)
Free education in most EU countries (unlike in Ireland)
Rarely any individual charges on basic services (unlike Ireland)
ItS Student, not true for about 10 eastern eu states I can tell you. I’ve going there for the last 12 years…
The other 18 EU states?
When I see a job advertised at the minimum I think ‘if they could pay me less, they would’. Thankfully I don’t have to live on this but the minimum wage is a disgrace and you simply cannot function on it.
Graphics perfectly clear here. Some people should clean their screens
Weird. ^That’s only half of what I posted. I was wondering what’s the explanation for all of the countries with no data shown. Should we take it that none of them have minimum wage legislation in place?
Elias, many eastern eu countries have no min wage or a vvvv low one. Also I know some baltic countries do not pay dole money. So it’s emigrate or starve. So they come here. In fact we are paying the welfare costs for many of their citizens and these debts stay off their state books.
Damian:
That’s not going to happen in Ireland. If it did, your tax reliefs would have to go. Works both ways.
Its Student, im not suggesting we emulate these states all I am saying is since the eu is one block a survey must include all these countries. I also question our current system which means we fork out who knows how many billions to effectively subsidize these states…
why are they in the EU? beyond sense. they’re a drain. Portugal are in the EU since 1984? and now what? Poland in 2050? Good luck.
We’re the best little country in the world for big business
time to cut down the graphics designers hourly wage!!
I see ,you can’t believe all you read
Poland do not have minimum wage at all ,
Artur, thx for the info I am not surprised. This is why Dell computers moved there (greed more an more profit). Poland will probably be the first of eastern eu states to climb up salary wise in the future and then they will move to cheaper countries like romania or ukraine (if they get into eu…). It’s basically a price war. Companies will locate at cheapest spot ie country that pays the least!
Fian ours in reality
Italy is also higher at €8.80
No that’s San Mario’s minimum wage. It’s crystal clear on the diagram. Italy’s isn’t shown.
Luxembourgish, not luxembourgarians
Fuxumburd!! Then you’ll be anally attentive!!
It like looks like Italy has a minimum wage of €8.80 an hour.
No, that’s San Mario’s minimum wage. Not clear at all from the diagram.
Expensive!! It’s bucking unfelievable. When there was near parity with the pound it was like being tortured every time you bought something. A lot of stuff in London can be had quite easily at half the price.
The idea of barely existing over there is just awful. With the recent dive of the Euro it should take some of the pain away. When I was there for end of year 2011 and first week of twelve, I spent a thousand pounds in ten days, no drink or drugs, just Bewlwys twice a day and a few cabs, but I decided to live the life for a week and fifty grand would be gone in 12 months, that’s without and bills at all. In London I could do it for half!!
Are the minimum wage and earnings graphics? Surely the average earned earned per hour by workers in a country be at least slightly higher than that countries minimum wage. Unless of course everyone is on the minimum.
Illegible graphics aside, I go on the price of petrol at the pump. Locally, I got petrol at 127.9 per litre on Christmas eve (which, honestly, is just down to the Russian factor, no blame/credit to our own govt) which to me also means: less carriage costs – ergo less overall costs on every basic item I buy. But, maybe I’m wrong and just not thinking globally at all……….
have your say