Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
111. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports which his Department makes available to support the learning of digital skills for adults who do not have any. [43656/22]
View answerAs a demonstration initiative under Strand 2 of the previous National Digital Strategy, my Department provided the “Digital Skills for Citizens” training scheme. In total 15 community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations were funded to deliver free informal basic digital skills classes to people who did not have the confidence or skills to use the internet and access online services. Since the training scheme commenced in 2017, €5.5 million has been invested in providing training to over 60,000 participants. Training modules included internet safety, how to send and receive emails, how to tax your car online and how to use social media. This training scheme was targeted at people from farming communities, small business owners, the unemployed, persons with disabilities, disadvantaged groups and for persons over the age of 45. More broadly, the Deputy might be interested to know the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) published the ‘Adult Literacy for Life – a 10-year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy’. This strategy aims to ensure every adult has the necessary literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy to fully engage in society and realise their potential. In addition, DFHERIS is the lead Department in delivering digital skills for the wider Society as provided in the Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework.
