Minister Visits Mayo
Minister Lenihan welcomes success of e-Inclusion scheme in Co. Mayo
Mayo 22nd June 2009
Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Conor Lenihan TD, today visited Castlebar to see the Department’s e-Inclusion scheme which was administered and delivered by the IT Section of Mayo County Council and has proven to be a huge success to date in Mayo.
Present at this morning’s meeting with the Minister were Cllr John Cribbin, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, attending his first official public engagement. Also in attendance at the presentation was Mr Des Mahon, Co Manager, Mr Joe Loftus D.O.S., Mr John Coll, D.O.S. Mr John Condon SEO, Mr Pat Carroll, Head of IS, senior MCC staff and representatives of eight community groups from around the County.
The €50,000 scheme which consisted of two streams namely the provision of computer hardware and the train the trainer initiative which will see computer training delivered to over 600 Mayo citizens throughout the County in 2009. Under the scheme some €20,000 will see the installation of 38 computers, printers and associated hardware in community and voluntary groups throughout Mayo.
Minister Lenihan congratulated the use of “community champions” from the Community & Voluntary sector who will each commit to training at least 30 people from their respective communities. The Minister met representatives from eight community groups who benefited from the funding and got very positive feedback.
“Encouraging more people to participate in the information society is so important, particularly in these economic times”, said Minister Lenihan. “It benefits the people who participate in so many different ways. Some people are put off because they think computers or the internet are complicated – or that they won’t be able to use them. Through the BenefIT scheme the Department is working with community and voluntary organisations in projects all over the country to assist these people, and to ensure that they are “e-included”.”
Minister Lenihan noted that these types of project also help combat isolation in rural areas and said, “The investment in these projects is an investment in people and in a brighter future.”
(Photo 1) L–R: Cllr John Cribbin (Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council), Minister Conor Lenihin (Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources), Mr Des Mahon (County Manager, Mayo County Council), Mr John Condon (SEO, Mayo County Council), Mr Joe Loftus (D.O.S, Mayo County Council), Mr Pat Carroll (Head of Information Systems, Mayo County Council)
(Photo 2) L-R Back Row: Eileen McNamara (Muintir A Chorrain), Michael Reynolds (IT Trainer, Mayo County Council), Eileen O’Brien (Mayo Abbey), Ger Maguire (Mayo Abbey), Mary Jackson (Ballinrobe FRC), Stephen Grogan (Ballyhaunis FRC), Margaret McHale (Killala Community Centre), Stephen N’ganga (Ballyhaunis FRC), Cllr John Cribbin (Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council), Minister Conor Lenihin (Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources), Des Mahon (County Manager, Mayo County Council), Edith Geragthy (Phoenix Theatre Works, Belmullet), John Coll (D.O.S Community and Enterprise, Mayo County Council), Seamus Geraghty (Phoenix Theatre Works, Belmullet), John Condon (SEO, Mayo County Council), John Fadden (Ballyheane Community Centre), Pat Carroll (Head of Information Systems, Mayo County Council), Joe Loftus D.O.S, Mayo County Council)
L-R Front Row: Anne King (Ballyheane Community Centre) , Teresa Kerrigan (Ballyheane Community Centre), Ann Burke (Ballyheane Community Centre), John McGovern (Ballyheane Community Centre)
Posted: 30/06/2009