Further Education and Training Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020

Tuesday, 15 December 2020

Questions (111)

Colm Burke

Question:

111. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the courses available to older persons to improve their digital skills by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43218/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Fostering Inclusion is one of the three core pillars around which the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024 is built. The FET sector is committed to increasing levels of inclusion through the provision of high quality, accessible and flexible education and training programmes and supports suited to the identified needs of individuals, with the aim of enabling every citizen to participate fully in society. Digital literacy is key in facilitating the full inclusion of all members of our society.

There are a range of programmes available within FET for all persons, including older persons, who wish to develop their digital literacy. These programmes are integrated into adult literacy and numeracy provision and are designed to meet the specific digital literacy needs of learners. As a result, they are generally organised on a one-to-one or small group basis. Older persons who wish to develop their digital literacy are encouraged to make contact with their local Education and Training Board (ETB) to discuss what courses may be available to them to meet their particular digital literacy needs. FET provides over 120,000 community education and adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy training places and provision is available across counties, towns and communities.

Examples of FET basic digital skills courses, which are open all learners including older persons, include courses on internet skills, basic computers, self-directed digital learning, computer literacy, and preparation for ECDL. There are also number of courses, such as ‘Get Connected’, ‘Silver Surfers’ and ‘How to use a tablet’ which are designed to specifically help people feel more comfortable about using digital technologies in everyday life.

Details of digital skills provision and statistics in relation to older people/learner enrolments in FET for 2018-2019 can be found at

Courses .