Do you know someone who is struggling to get online? New basic digital skills training is now available from 15 community and not-for-profit organisations nationwide who will deliver the free training to more than 26,000 people during 2017.
If there is someone in your angling club or organisation who needs some support in growing their confidence and ability online, then why not get in touch with the groups providing training?
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten, T.D., has awarded €2.2m to the 15 community and not-for-profit organisations to provide basic digital skills training under his Department’s new Digital Skills for Citizens Grant Scheme.
Minister Naughten said: “For those already online, the benefits of the internet are clear. A few simple steps and a digital world opens before you – one where old friends can catch up, businesses and customers can find each other and access to information is easy.
In a ‘connected’ society, digital skills for everyone are absolutely essential if we’re going to realise the full social and economic potential of this digital world.But many people have never had a chance to learn these skills. Helping these individuals, communities and businesses acquire them is a significant policy priority for me.
That is the idea behind my Department’s Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme. It aims to give people the confidence, motivation and skills to take their first steps online, so that they can play their part in an increasingly digital world.Working in partnership with the 15 community and not-for-profit organisations that have been awarded grant funding, we are actively supporting people to move online and enjoy all that the internet offers.”
A full geographic spread of classes, engaging deeply with communities across every county, will be ensured and monitored under the Scheme.
Details relating to the 15 organisations which were successful in the Department of Communication’s recent competitive call for proposals are set out in the table below.
Grantee |
Number of non-liners to be trained |
Grant Amount |
Age Action Ireland Ltd |
2,461 |
€221,490 |
Ballyhoura Development Company Ltd (Limerick) |
1,000 |
€90,000 |
County Sligo Leader Partnership Company Ltd (Sligo) |
1,000 |
€92,000 |
ECDL Ireland Ltd |
1,000 |
€90,000 |
Family Carers Ireland Ltd |
1,000 |
€92,000 |
Fast Track into Information Technology (FIT) |
4,000 |
€320,000 |
IE Domain Registry Ltd |
1,000 |
€100,000 |
Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Ltd (Westmeath) |
1,300 |
€105,599 |
Meath Community Rural & Social Development Partnership Ltd |
1,000 |
€85,000 |
(NCBI) National Council for the Blind Group |
1,000 |
€100,000 |
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd |
7,000 |
€595,000 |
South East Community Training & Education Centre Ltd |
1,000 |
€85,000 |
St Catherine’s Community Services Centre Ltd |
1,000 |
€85,000 |
The Cork Academy of Music Ltd |
1,000 |
€80,000 |
Third Age Foundation Co. Ltd |
1,000 |
€80,000 |
