Independent Longford/Westmeath TD, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has welcomed the sum of €105,000 for Irish Rural Link in training funds to get people online.
The funding is part of a €2.2m grant announced by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten, for 15 community and not-for-profit organisations to provide basic digital skills training under Digital Skills for Citizens Grant Scheme.
The Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme is a key part of the Government’s National Digital Strategy which recognises the importance of enabling all citizens to realise the full social and economic potential of the digital world.
Deputy Moran said that helping people to get online is a key focus for the Government.
“Having digital skills can empower. It’s about enriching the lives of people by giving them better access to information, culture, entertainment, social networking, online goods and services,” said Deputy Moran.
“This is important from a social inclusion perspective as well as opening up opportunities to deploy business services, eGovernment and social services in the areas of health and education. Training in basic internet skills will be delivered free of charge to more than 26,000 people across every county during 2017.”
