Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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958. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is working with community organisations, libraries, or Age Friendly Ireland to provide targeted digital literacy training and support, in order that older people can confidently use online services if they wish to, rather than being forced to because there’s no alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63872/25]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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My Department, working with SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), is actively supporting digital literacy so that all those wishing to use online services can do so confidently and at their own pace - including older people.

Under the Government’s ten-year Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy, digital capability is recognised as essential for full participation in society. The Strategy does not specifically assess the impact of digitalisation of services on older adults, a strong suite of training-focused initiatives is underway to support this group through the ALL Collaboration and Innovation Fund (CIF), the REACH Fund and wider community-education provision. A detailed list of projects funded through the ALL CIF for 2025 is provided separately.

These programmes are designed to build confidence, functional skills and the ability to use digital tools for everyday tasks such as communicating, accessing information and navigating online services. Delivery models include one-to-one Digital Help Hubs in libraries; ETB initiatives such as Byte and Brew; Siúlóid Nádúr Digiteach; peer-mentor training for active-retirement groups; digital-skills programmes linked to creative projects including Life in Motion and Our Lived History; and structured smartphone and online-services courses delivered through Family Resource Centres, Men’s Sheds, libraries and community organisations.

In 2025, SOLAS allocated over €176,000 to Age Action to deliver two programmes, the University of the Third Age and Digital Literacy Programme and the Getting Started Digital Skills Programme, aimed at enhancing digital skills among older people.

In addition, SOLAS is supporting Generation Ireland - an initiative aimed at helping people overcome barriers to employment to upskill - to deliver digital-skills bootcamps for older workers, including tailored provision for those aged 40 and over.

Whilst my Department does not have a remit in relation to the digitisation of services, I want to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring everyone including older people can access high-quality, relevant supports for digital skills in order to use online services. To this end, SOLAS and the ETBs are working with community organisations, libraries, Age Friendly Ireland, and other partners to deliver targeted digital literacy training and support that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of older people.