Isolated Gaeltacht turn to technology

THE chief executive of Udaras na Gaeltachta, Ruan O Bric, has been stressing technology's role in keeping the Gaeltacht viable…

THE chief executive of Udaras na Gaeltachta, Ruan O Bric, has been stressing technology's role in keeping the Gaeltacht viable.

"Many of the disadvantages associated with the peripheral status of the Gaeltacht are being eliminated," he said. "Information technology means physical - location need not be a barrier, particularly in business, education and creative media."

The Authority's end of year report detailed, among other projects, the GCom/An tUdaras COINS Project begun last year. Supported by the EU Telematics - Applications Programme, COINS is developing an in service training programme for SMEs in remote regions using on line, computer based, self learning material, and is supported by face to face training sessions over a multi point video conferencing network. The project involves a five country consortium.