The Government has announced the allocation of €1.6m to provide internet training to the elderly, unemployed and people with disabilities. The scheme, entitled “Benefit 3” focuses on digital inclusion for over 30,000 people and will be provided nationwide.

The funding will go to community and voluntary sector organisations to support projects providing basic training in internet use. It is estimated that one third of the adult population are not internet users and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources wants to ensure that these people are not “left behind in the knowledge economy”.

Minister Rabitte was speaking at the launch of Age Action Ireland’s new computer training facility, which will be one of many centres around the country.