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Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte today urged people who have not yet become familiar with the internet to take advantage of one of more than 500 courses being offered by community organisations nationwide which are supported by the Department’s Benefit 4 scheme. He urged people to check out the courses on offer in their own area by viewing the interactive map now available on the Department’s website which shows the contact details of local course organisers in every county.

The Minister was speaking at the presentation of Google Silver Surfer Awards today, where he highlighted his Department’s BenefIT training programme This latest BenefIT scheme – BenefIT 4 – is the fourth such scheme of this type funded by the Department of Communications since 2008. Between them the 3 previous schemes have provided training to approximately 100,000 people.

The Minister said:

Training under the BenefIT programme is effective and it’s highly regarded too. We know that from the feedback provided by the trainees, which is almost universally positive. The cost is nominal, sometimes it’s free. You can learn the skills relevant to you. I am delighted to reveal that there is now a new round of training underway across the country. Over a thousand people have been trained over the past few weeks. I hope many people will be inspired by today’s silver surfers to seek out similar skills online...

Today’s awards highlight inspiring stories of ordinary people, many who left school early and are now an example to all of us on what we, like them, can achieve through the internet.

Watch the MerrionStreet.ie feature on last year's Silver Surfer Awards :