Car Tourismo Banner
Home » Lifestyle » RabbITte on hand for Caring for Carers

RabbITte on hand for Caring for Carers

Car Tourismo Banner

Minister Pat Rabbitte speaking, flanked by Mary Mc Mahon, CEO Caring For carers Ireland, Judith Ironside Director Caring For Carers Ireland, and Pat Shannon, Director of Services Caring For Carers Ireland, at the presentation of certificates in the Old Ground Hotel, to family carers who completed a Caring For Carers course in Digital Skills. Photograph by John Kelly

SHANNON’S Sylvia Gaffney is no longer afraid of a mouse – a computer mouse that is. Sylvia was among a number of family carers presented with certificates by Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte in Ennis this week after completing a Caring for Carers course in information technology skills.

Minister Pat Rabbitte speaking, flanked by Mary Mc Mahon, CEO Caring For carers Ireland, Judith Ironside Director Caring For Carers Ireland, and Pat Shannon, Director of Services Caring For Carers Ireland, at the presentation of certificates in the Old Ground Hotel, to family carers who completed a Caring For Carers course in Digital Skills. Photograph by John Kelly

SHANNON’S Sylvia Gaffney is no longer afraid of a mouse – a computer mouse that is. Sylvia was among a number of family carers presented with certificates by Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte in Ennis this week after completing a Caring for Carers course in information technology skills.

The course, run under the BenefIT 3 scheme run by the Department of Communications, saw 120 carers in Clare take part with a total of 750 participants nationwide. Under the course they learned skills such as using the internet and sending emails. According to Caring for Carers, it isn’t just those taking part who have benefited, with many family carers sharing their skills with the people they care for.

Speaking at the presentation of certificates in the Old Ground Hotel,Ennis, Sylvia recalled her experiences of taking part in the course.

“As a carer, I have been fortunate enough to be trained in the basic skill of the computer, such as how to turn on a computer, to receive and send emails and search for good value respite breaks online, even if I don’t get to go on one,” she told those gathered.

“For years now I have been afraid of a mouse but since I did my computer course, I can now safely say I can handle the mouse and I have no fear,” she continued.

“I feel I am able to keep up now with the younger generation. Learning to use the computer has opened up a new life for me. I am enjoying the experience of communicating with family and friends through the computer.”

Commenting on the BenefIT 3 scheme, offering training in digital skills through community and voluntary organisations, Minister Rabbitte said, “For a very small amount of money, it has done enormous things around the country. Altogether it has trained some 40,000 people, the expenditure last year was €1.8 million. I don’t know of any other training scheme that for such a small investment has produced courses in 700 different locations around the country.”

He expressed his hope that Caring for Carers will be successful in its bid under the upcoming BenefIT 4 scheme.

“The internet is a wonderful resource. We are investing a tremendous amount of money nationally in providing infrastructure – like broadband – so that people can access it more easily. To get the best value from our investment in the infrastructure we need to optimise its use – that’s why digital inclusion and digital skills are so important. It is one of the most satisfying aspects of my job – to see positive outcomes for people, like we are seeing here.

“The training that you have received will serve you well in your day-to-day roles, critical in our society, of caring for our citizens.”

Speaking at the ceremony, director of Caring for Carers Ireland, Judith Ironside described those receiving certificates as “very important people”. CEO Mary McMahon commented that this course forms part of the Caring for Carers strategy of encouraging social inclusion. She commented that the achievements of those who have completed the course “will shine a light for people who want to follow in their footsteps”.

Pat Shannon, head of services, outlined how the course has not just been of benefit to the participants, with Clare County Council among those to reap the rewards.

“As part of the course, the participants had to use a government service, such as finding their name on the Register of Electors. A lot of the carers found that very interesting because not only were they able to find their own names, but they were able to find all their neighbours. In a couple of cases they were even able to help the county council in correcting the register of electors, where people had passed on or moved. I know a lot of the carers helped,” he said.

He added that many of the participants in the course went home and showed the person they were caring for what they had learned. He told the minister the department are getting a “double whammy” for the investment in the course.

“There are 750 who have done the course across the country but I would say more than 1,000 people are benefiting from the skills that were learned,” he concluded.

About News Editor

Check Also

Living in the community of art in Ennistymon

Over the past six months, a diverse group of people have been coming together each …