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.

Speaking at a conference in Dublin organised by the European Commission Representation, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said Ireland must continue to attract ICT companies in order to achieve economic growth.

“The Digital Agenda is right at the centre of smart economic growth. It is especially an opportunity for Ireland to attract ICT companies and Ireland has a chance to be ahead and not merely following behind other countries. While Ireland’s economy shrank in 2009, Ireland’s ICT sector grew by 6%. Ireland is committed to working with the European Commission to use both incentives and competition to attract and develop the digital economy in Ireland,” he said.

Anthony Whelan, head of Cabinet for Neelie Kroes, European commissioner for digital agenda, said that despite punching above its weight in digital research, Ireland continued to lag behind in terms of public uptake of public services offered online.

“Ireland is punching above its weight in European digital research. It is addressing the broadband infrastructure challenge for industry, schools and rural communities and Ireland’s businesses are above-average in online commerce and the use of e-Government services.

“However, take-up by citizens and consumers of opportunities to use public services and do business online is still lagging behind. We need to remember that the internet is also a major social opportunity for the elderly, disadvantaged and disabled,” he said.

The European Commission wants to see high internet speeds in all EU households and super-fast speeds in at least half of them by 2020.