Minister for Information Society Seán Power TD today announced funding of €1.247 million for twelve projects nationwide, under the BenefIT scheme. The Benefit Scheme, which was launched in October last year, provides financial support to voluntary, not-for-profit organisations to develop initiatives to encourage and support the participation of late adopters of technology.
This funding will be of direct benefit to over 23,000 people nationwide. It comes as statistics from the CSO, have shown an increasing uptake in computer-ownership and internet-use. Seven in every ten people now have a computer, with 62% of people accessing the internet.
“Despite this progress”, said Minister Power, “participation in the knowledge society still remains an unfulfilled hope for some individuals. There are too many people in our society - many of them old or vulnerable - who are unable to access the internet, use e-Mail or simply use a mobile phone. With today’s funding, my message to them is that now they can.”
Minister Power recently discussed the BenefIT Scheme with his ministerial counterparts at the European Commission’s eInclusion Conference and emphasised his intention to extend the Scheme’s application in the coming years, as part of Ireland’s wider efforts on eInclusion.
“Access to technology is not a luxury,” he said, “it is now almost a prerequisite of modern society. In the coming year, over 23,000 people in Ireland will be provided information and receive training on the use of the internet, computers and other tools of the modern age.
I would encourage all interested parties to get involved, and take advantage of the opportunities being provided. By continuing our partnership with the community and voluntary groups under this scheme, there are thousands of people who this time next year will have a better quality of life and new opportunities - this is something we can all be proud of.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
The successful applicants to the BenefIT Scheme are:
* Getting Started – Age Action Ireland
* Embrace IT – Drogheda Partnership Company
* Limerick eInclusion Action Project – City of Limerick Community ICT Steering Group
* ART – Active Retirement Ireland
* Spread the Word – Mayo County Council
* Community TXT link – Muinter na Tíre
* The BIG Project – Co. Meath VEC
* DIGI Access – Whitefriar Aungier Area Community Council
* Dublin & Mod-East Communitiy ICT Initiative – Dublin Employment Pact
* Newbridge Family Resource Centre
* Ballyfermot IT Centre
* Look at This – Mayo County Development Board
For further information, contact:
Press Office
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
01 6782441
press.office@dcenr.gov.ie