Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - IT Training Projects.

David Stanton

Question:

88 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the seven projects approved for funding for information technology training for older persons; the amount received by each project; the plans, if any, to begin a further such scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15387/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

To mark 1999 as the UN International Year of Older Persons, my Department had a budget available for information technology training for older persons. The budget was available to projects or groups providing computer-based training to older people.

My Department approved funding to eight project promoters and details of the amounts paid to them are as follows:

Project Promoter	Amount Paid
Age Action Ireland	4,750
Roscommon VEC	4,500
Waterford VEC	15,000
Laois Education Centre	3,150
St. Andrew's Resource Centre	2,520
National College of Ireland	4,700
Waterford Leader Partnership	10,000
Galway VEC	4,500
Total	49,120

Waterford Leader Partnership spent £9,000 of the grant allocated and returned the unused balance of £1,000 to my Department.

The funding for IT training of older persons was provided on a once-off basis to mark the UN International Year of Older Persons. I have no plans to operate a further scheme from within my Department. However, the issue of learning initiatives for older people generally will be considered in the context of the work of the task force on lifelong learning, which is chaired by my Department.