Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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820. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of funding made available as part of the BenefIT digital skills training grant scheme; and the way this funding is administrated. [30315/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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My Department’s BenefIT programme is a key mechanism under the National Digital Strategy to ensure that citizens and communities are empowered and motivated to use the internet, and thereby reap the full economic and social benefits of a digital society. The Programme provides funding to community, voluntary and not for profit organisations for the delivery of basic digital literacy training to citizens in over 700 locations nationwide. Since the BenefIT programme launched in 2008, over 129,000 training places have been delivered at an overall cost of some €7.2m. The current round, BenefIT 4, commenced in July 2013 and in December 2014, I extended its reach and impact with the introduction of a community strand. The total expenditure to date in respect of the 46 organisations funded under BenefIT 4 is some €3.2m.

Full details of the eligibility criteria for projects approved under the programme are set out in the BenefIT4 Guidelines which are available on my Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie, along with a list of all approved organisations.

Funding is dependent on the achievement of targets and delivery of commitments by the organisations which have been approved for grant aid. My officials engage closely with them, monitor performance and the achievement of training targets on an ongoing basis, and carry out unannounced visits to training sessions as well as phone audits. All trainees complete an online survey which is used by my officials to continuously monitor the impact of the training.

This is an effective programme delivering a wide range of positive impacts and value for money.