Telecom Eireann's £15 million Information Age Project is entering its second phase, where the objective for the people of Ennis, Co Clare, will be to use the technology to shape their own purposes.
That is the view of Mr Michael Byrne, chief executive of Ennis Information Age Town Ltd, who was speaking at the "Learning and Working in the Information Age" conference in Ennis yesterday.
Some 4,200 homes have had multimedia PCs installed; a digital fibre-optic ring has been installed around Ennis facilitating split-second transmission of a range of data; and the town's 12 schools have had multimedia PCs installed in computer laboratories.
Ten recently-formed subcommittees will develop strategies in relation to education, health and social care, government and public services, and social inclusion.
Underlining the project's inclusive approach, Mr Byrne said 60 PCs had been allocated to seven training centres for people with special needs.
The allocation forms part of a community programme, with support programmes being put in place to ensure information technology reaches every sector of the community.
The information age town, he said, will be a place where people will be at ease with technology and where the technology will lead to economic prosperity and an inclusive integrated community.
