John Bruton
Ceist:37 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if the Information Society Commission is involved in the fast-track to information technology initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1698/00]
Written Answers. - Information Society Commission.
John Bruton
Ceist:38 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the Information Society Commission's business community survey. [1724/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:39 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the way in which the Information Society Commission will provide each person with an e-mail address; if a directory will be made available of these e-mail addresses in the same way as the telephone directory; and, if not, the arrangements, if any, which will be made in this regard. [2319/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 to 39, inclusive, together.
The results of the Information Society Commission's business community survey were published in December last. Overall, the results suggest that Irish businesses are making strong moves to embrace information and communication technology and are more engaged in e-business. While businesses now have a very positive attitude to e-commerce, actual levels are still relatively low. It is also apparent that small and medium enterprises, in particular, need to do more to keep up with technological changes in the marketplace.
The main findings of the survey are that the vast majority of Irish businesses are now familiar with the terms and services relating to new technology; one third of Irish businesses have more than 75% of their employees using computers; internet access in the business community compares competitively with the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the USA, Canada and Japan; use of websites for on-line sales by Irish businesses is still relatively low; Irish businesses are more enthusiastic about the information society than their international counterparts; businesses are concerned about IT skills shortages but need to do more to provide training for their staff; and small and medium enterprises are more at risk of being left behind in the e-economy.
Some of these findings have been confirmed by other studies carried out recently, including one by Andersen Consulting, entitled E-Ireland Takes Off.
The findings relating to SMEs are a cause for concern. A range of awareness measures have been put in place, including a national awareness campaign for SMEs run by the commission with IBEC, which involves a series of seminars around the country with the objective of demonstrating the importance of e-commerce to SMEs. Enterprise Ireland has also enhanced the services it offers to SMEs in the e-commerce and information society area.
As regards the provision of e-mail addresses for every citizen, the Deputy's question gives the impression that a decision to this effect has already been made. This is not the case. The Information Society Commission was asked to assess the possibility and merit of providing an e-mail address and internet access to every citizen.
The commission established a sub-group to look into this matter. The work of that group led to publication of a discussion paper last November, the contents of which I have already outlined to the House. The paper set out a range of options regarding the possible provision of e-mail addresses for citizens. The commission is currently examining the many responses to its discussion paper with a view to preparing recommendations to Government on the question of IT access generally, including possible provision of e-mail for all.
Turning to the fast-track to information technology initiative, the Information Society Commission has no direct involvement in this scheme, though it did welcome it in its most recent annual report, saying that it provides a model which can be applied to other sectors and other regions.
The initiative aims to provide training and employment in the IT industry for 3,500 people in the Dublin area over three years. The scheme, aimed primarily at long-term unemployed, is being driven by the IT industry itself, who are assisting in a number of ways including the development of training curricula, providing internships, contributing to operating costs and, ultimately, providing jobs and career development paths for the trainees.