The national digital strategy, which was launched in July 2013, focuses on driving digital adoption in three key areas: enterprise, citizens and education. Implementation of initiatives across these three strands is progressing well. The trading online voucher scheme aims to get 2,000 small businesses trading online. More than 700 businesses have been awarded vouchers of up to €2,500. Roll-out of a further 1,300 vouchers continues. Early indications from the programme are that companies have experienced more sales and are expecting to recruit as a result.
Under the citizen component of the strategy, community and voluntary organisations are grant-aided to provide digital skills training to citizens. More than 116,000 training places have been delivered under the BenefIT scheme since 2008 and more than 30,000 citizens will be trained in 2015 at more than 700 locations nationwide.
Following the roll-out of 100 Mbps broadband to every second level school in Ireland, last year my Department and the Department of Education and Skills ran a series of so-called switch-on workshops for teachers to showcase how digital technologies can enhance teaching and learning.
In tandem with these measures to stimulate use of technology, the Government's national broadband plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high speed broadband service of at least 30 Mbps. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
Last November the Minister published a national high-speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie . The areas marked blue represent those areas that will have access to commercial high-speed broadband services by the end of 2016. The amber areas show the target areas for the State intervention.
Following further public consultation this summer, a detailed procurement process will be undertaken to select a preferred bidder or bidders. I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within five years. This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to address conclusively current connectivity challenges in Ireland.