AQW 10465/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 19/04/2024
Answered On Date: 05/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance, pursuant to AQW 5711/22-27, to detail the work of the Digital Inclusion Unit in supporting elderly people with digital accessibility and helping them to carry out online transactions and banking.

Answer:

The Digital Inclusion Unit, within the Department of Finance, promotes Digital Inclusion in response to the increased use of online channels, including those to access public services.

The unit’s current Go ON NI programme, which began in 2012, has been very successful in assisting people attain the necessary digital skills and continues to grow by targeting events, digital skills training sessions and promotional activities at the harder to reach digitally excluded sections of the population.

The programme provides free digital training sessions in libraries and community centres as well as Independent Living Centres. There is a particular focus on older people at times throughout the year, with specific events taking place during Safer Internet Day, Positive Ageing Month and Get Online Week.

Sessions being delivered currently include:

‘Organise Your Life Online’ – which helps people find out about online banking, paying bills and websites offering money advice and benefits information.

‘Privacy and Security’ – which gives tips on keeping online personal information private and secure.

‘Internet Scams’ – this provides tips on how to stay safe online and how to avoid online scams.

So far this year over 230 participants have received digital skills training and follow-up support from our partner, Supporting Communities, with 45% of these people being aged between 56-70 years old.