More than a quarter of older people who do not currently use a computer or the internet are interested in learning how to do so.

That is according to research by the Work Research Centre and Age Action, presented to Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (with special responsibility for the Information Society and Natural Resources) Sean Power today.

The finding of the telephone survey of a representative sample of 1,000 people aged 50 and older in Ireland comes as a boost for Age Action’s Getting Started computer training programme for older people. The programme aims to provide training for at least 3,000 people around Ireland in the coming year.

“The demand is there and the appetite of our students is huge,” Getting Started national development manager Helen McQuillan said. “Students taking the classes are really enjoying it. Those who have finished the course and now have the basic skills are coming back wanting to know about more advanced skills.”

The survey found that 48% of those surveyed used computers. Of the 52% who were non-users, some 27.9% were interested in learning more about computers and how to use them.

In contrast, 86% of older people used mobile phones. Of the 14% of non-users, 8.4% had never used one, while the remainder were past/lapsed users. One-in-five of these non-users was interested in learning more about mobile phones.

Over 400 older people received computer skills under the first phase of Getting Started. The older people’s charity is now recruiting volunteer tutors and students for the nationwide roll-out of its computer training and mobile phone classes. The first phase of the Getting Started programme was funded by the Department of the Taoiseach. The nationwide expansion of the programme is funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources’s Benefit scheme.

“This is a wonderful success story,” Ms McQuillan noted. “Within weeks people who never believed they could use a computer, are booking airline tickets online, receiving emailed photographs of their children from the other side of the world, and enjoying the opportunities presented by the internet.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION. 01-4756989 OR 087-9682449.