LAST YEAR just 68 per cent of Irish homes with internet access had broadband, compared to a European Union average of 80 per cent, according to a report from the Central Statistics Office.

It found the proportion of Irish households with internet access increased by three percentage points to 63 per cent during 2008, and that over one million homes, or approximately 70 per cent, had internet access.

However, only 27 per cent of homes in the midlands, Border and western region had broadband connection compared to half of all residences in the east and south.

Overall, the number of homes with a computer topped one million for the first time in the first quarter of last year, up 11 per cent on 2007.

While 92 per cent of people aged 16-24 have used a computer, this falls to 31 per cent among those aged 65-74.

The report, Information Society and Telecommunications 2008, found the number of businesses using broadband increased between 2007 and 2008 from 68 per cent to 83 per cent, slightly ahead of the European average.

The most common online purchases were flights and other forms of transport and holiday accommodation, followed by tickets for events.

Annual revenues in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors decreased 0.5 per cent last year to €4.52 billion.