Age should not be barrier for online skills: Ó Muilleoir

Date published: 7 June 2016

The Minister was speaking as he visited a ‘Techy Tea’ digital inclusion event for people aged over 55 at the Lowe Memorial Church on the Lisburn Road in Belfast. The event is part of the Department of Finance’s Go ON NI programme, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of digital skills as well as carrying out training initiatives to help people get online.

The Minister said: “The need to engage with technology has never been more important. In today’s world the internet is an essential tool that allows us to connect with others and find the information we need. In fact, it has become such a fundamental part of everyday life, there is a very real need to reach out to those sections of society that may be digitally excluded.

“Whether it’s our older people, people with disabilities, those who are socially or economically disadvantaged or living in rural communities, it is vital that everyone is given the opportunity to realise the benefits of being online. The digital inclusion initiative, led by the Department of Finance, is working hard to reach those digitally excluded sections of the population, opening doors for everyone by connecting them to jobs, information, government services and social interaction.”

Go ON NI comprises a range of targeted awareness raising campaigns, training and tutoring, working collectively across the North with partners Business in the Community, Libraries NI and Supporting Communities NI. More information is available on the nidirect website.

The ‘Techy Tea’ event at Lowe Memorial Church is for online beginners who want to know how the internet and computers can simplify their day to day lives. The group had an initial digital skills session and requested further training around taking and sharing digital photographs.