科技英语新闻:Ireland seeks to include elderly in internet society

DUBLIN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The Irish government is aiming to increase internet literacy among older people with the launch of a 1.6 million euro training program, according to a cabinet minister on Monday.

The goal of the scheme is to provide basic internet skills to 30,000 elderly people across the country who are less likely engage with the internet themselves.

The announcement was made by Irish communications minister Pat Rabbitte at a new computer training facility run by Age Action Ireland, an Irish charity which promotes positive aging and better policies and services for older people.

The Irish minister detailed how the training program will help those involved.

"This scheme will enable thousands of people throughout Ireland, people otherwise likely to be left behind in the knowledge society, to acquire the basic practical know-how to improve their digital skills. In particular this will help older people, those with disabilities, the unemployed and other key target groups. They will learn to use the internet, emails and how to conduct simple on-line transactions," he said.

"Previous schemes show that learning such basic skills helps people in many ways, giving them new communication options, new opportunities to save money, as well as better access to a wide range of on-line services," he added.

"We have also seen how such new skills and the opportunities that result from them improve people's confidence and wellbeing. More widespread participation in the knowledge society is a win- win outcome with advantages for citizens, government and the wider economy."