Older people need training and education to help them get online, says charity Age Concern.
By “demystifying online technology” and demonstrating the benefits of using computers, it is possible to get more people of pension age involved with digital life, it claims.
Nancy Johnson, technology and digital inclusion development manager at Age Concern, said the charity’s research shows “that over two-thirds of ‘silver surfers’ say using the internet has improved their lives”.
Changing career and looking for work in the IT industry at any age may seem a daunting task, but with the help of programming courses there are jobs to be found.
By investing in improved telecoms infrastructure the Irish government hopes it can attract new businesses and provide IT careers for thousands of workers.
The country could become a “test bed location where you can deliver the latest green technologies”, Eamon Ryan, minister for communications, energy and natural resources has claimed.