For many in Ireland, everyday tasks such as banking, booking medical appointments, accessing public services or staying in touch with family are increasingly happening online.

While digital technology offers convenience and connection, it can also create barriers for older people, who may not have had the opportunity, confidence or support to develop digital skills. .

“There is a huge devide with digital skills between younger people and older people and older people are being left behind. It is something we really need to face head-on,” says Deborah Costello, fundraising and communications manager at Friends of the Elderly Ireland. She also highlights the importance of not putting older people into one single group.

“We have to look at older people not as one, we have young old, middle old and old old. We are looking at people coming into Friends of the Elderly at 65, who would have used the internet and technology within their working life, those in their 70s would have some experience of texting and understanding, and then for those in their 80s, it’s a different world completely. We are trying to adapt our skills and programmes to what the needs are,” says Deborah.

As Ireland continues its digital transition, ensuring that people are not left behind has become an important social issue.

“It’s a divide that’s unnessisary really, if people start to think of society as a whole and understand the challenges older people are facing. You have online shopping and making donations to charity they all require authenticiation from an online banking app, which they don’t have. It’s really sad because we look at Ireland and we have great benefits for older people like free travel, but if you want to guarentee your seat on a train you have to do it online,” says Deborah.

Digital research

The Vodafone Foundation carried out research among people aged 55+. It found that one-in-three surveyed feel digitally excluded, with 22% stating that they have no one to turn to when they encounter digital difficulties. While 91% use digital devices daily, 69% report low confidence or fear of making mistakes. The good news in the survey is that 91% of the respondents are open to learning new digital skills.

The Vodafone Foundation, through its Hi Digital programme, has partnered with public libraries in Ireland to make digital skills training more accessible for older people by introducing a tablet loan scheme.

In our libraries, we see how even small digital skills – like making video calls or using online banking – can make a big difference in the lives of older people

This scheme will provide library members access to ready-to-use tablets preloaded with a free digital skills course, to allow them to upskill in a safe supportive environment. The Hi Digital course involves short, easy to follow online lessons and practical modules such as using smartphones, avoiding scams, and using WhatsApp alongside other supports such as quick tip videos.

The scheme is available in 30 public libraries across seven participating counties, with 200 tablets supplied to date across Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Monaghan, Waterford, Wicklow, and Wexford.

Dr Stuart Hamilton, head of libraries development for the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), says libraries have always been places of learning and inclusion at the heart of communities.

“This partnership allows us to support older people in a very practical way – giving them access to technology they may not otherwise have, and the time and space to learn in a setting they trust. In our libraries, we see how even small digital skills – like making video calls or using online banking – can make a big difference in the lives of older people,” says Dr Hamilton.

Since its establishment in 2021, over 170,000 older people have benefitted from digital skills training through Hi Digital.

“Digital inclusion is often about much more than skills it’s about access, confidence, and feeling supported.

“By working with libraries to provide tablets with our Hi Digital programme pre-loaded, we’re removing some of the most practical barriers older people face and making it easier to take that first step towards building digital confidence and skills,” says Sabrina Casalta, CEO Vodafone Ireland.

How to access supports

The scheme is completely free to access, and library members are encouraged to drop in, borrow a tablet, and explore what it can offer – whether that’s completing the Hi Digital course, researching hobbies or getting more comfortable with the device. Having these resources available free of charge in libraries will make them more accessible, according to Deborah. “It really brings things to the next level, because not everyone can afford to have a tablet, or Wi-Fi or knows what to do. A library is at the heart of the community and older people need that community spirit.”

See hidigital.ie/in-person-support or call 1800 203030.