The Irish Government has intensified its efforts on digital inclusion in 2011. This is reflected in expansion of its “BenefIT” grant scheme in which Government partners with the third sector to deliver basic skills training as well as an increased level of engagement with key stakeholders. With the DAE as the over arching policy context it is intended to formulate a national strategy – which will be informed by engagements with key stakeholders.

There are many relevant and effective initiatives in the field of digital literacy and inclusion in Ireland. They encompass wide range of actors representing all types of organisations. The majority are run by the NGOs but there is also a strong Government programme (3rd edition of the BenefIT scheme) There is also a strengthening participation from the industry / ICT sector (e.g. Google programmes to increase citizen engagement through initiatives such as “Age Engage”) in addition to existing large scale initiatives such as “Log on, Learn” involving Intel, Microsoft and the Irish Post Office.

Google is also involved in the Getting Irish Business on-line initiative –(http://www.gettingbusinessonline.ie/index) targeted at the SMEs getting the right skills for going online. This objective has also been progressed by the “WebActivate” pilot initiative.