Government departments and agencies are expected to spend €10.5 million over the next four years on hiring external contractors to translate press releases, correspondence, legal documents, and other official materials into Irish.
The Office of Government Procurement is inviting tenders from qualified providers to carry out translation and proofreading of texts such as annual reports, newspaper articles, website content, and legislation, reports Breaking News.
These translation services will be made available to government ministers, departments, local authorities, health agencies, and a variety of state organisations, including An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service.
The chosen contractor will be allowed to use artificial intelligence (AI) for certain categories of work when authorised by the client, while its use for other types of material will be strictly prohibited, reports Breaking News.
According to the Office of Government Procurement, a total of €10.5 million is projected to be spent on translation services over the duration of the four-year agreement, based on both current and anticipated demand.
Among the bodies eligible to use the translation framework are the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Defence Forces, Education and Training Boards (ETBs), higher education institutions, and HIQA, reports Breaking News.
Documents that may require translation into Irish under the framework include application forms, information leaflets, audit and planning reports, and organisational reviews.
Legal materials to be translated could encompass EU treaties, regulations, directives, and guidance, along with domestic primary and secondary legislation. Legal analysis and opinion pieces will also be rendered in Irish, reports Breaking News.
Tender specifications note that the use of AI or machine-assisted translation for legal texts will not be allowed “due to the complex nature of the source material,” reports Breaking News.
Service providers interested in bidding must submit tenders by December 12th, with panels expected to be formed early next year from which contracts will be awarded through mini-competitions.
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