33% of population never been online

ONE-THIRD of Irish citizens have never been online, despite sectors of Irish industry being ahead of EU averages for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) use.

Some 50% of economic growth now depends on the ICT sector either directly or indirectly. However, despite Ireland being ahead in some areas in terms of ICT use, EU spending as a whole on ICT use is less than half of US levels.

By 2020, the European Commission as part of its Digital Agenda wants to see all households having access to fast-speed broadband. By 2015, it predicts that all patients could have access to their online medical records wherever they are in the EU.