Dell funds community IT centre in Limerick

28-11-2006

by Ciara O'Brien

The Dell Foundation has donated USD30,000 to the Moyross Development Company in Limerick to help bring technology services to people in the area.

The funds will be used by the Limerick group to equip a high-spec computer room based at the "Bays" in the Moyross Enterprise Units. Already there are plans in place for a range of programmes that will provide access to technology.

The Dell-funded IT room will be used to help support children doing their homework, provide young people with skills to help in job seeking efforts, and provide the facilities to increase the numbers of young people availing of accredited IT modules.

"Moyross Development Company is to be commended for the work that it is already doing with young people in the area in what at times is a difficult and challenging environment," said Kevin Rollins, chief executive, Dell.

"We hope that the provision of funding through the Dell Foundation to equip a new IT resource for the community will help to complement the impressive range of programmes already underway in the community. It is critical that young people have access to IT skills in order to be able to participate fully in the digital world and we are delighted that through this donation increased numbers of young people in the Moyross area will now have enhanced access to technology."

The new equipment could also be used to stimulate interest in digital photography skills or to help learner drivers study for their driver theory test.

"We are proud and delighted that Dell has selected our organisation as recipients of a Foundation Grant. This funding will help us enhance the valuable facilities and services offered to the local community," said Elaine Slattery, Moyross Development Company.

"The work done with previous participants has shown that training and upskilling helps tackle unemployment and even crime. The ability to provide computer training for the young people in the area will give them direction, focus and opportunities for their future."

The Moyross Development Company will also have the opportunity to apply for a further USD5,000 in funding next year.

The group was chosen after a shortlist was drawn up of worthy causes nominated by Dell employees. Both the Vincent de Paul in Limerick and the Moyross Community Library also made it on to the list, and were given a notebook computer by Dell.

The Dell Foundation supports innovative programmes that provide support and services to equip young people with the skills to learn and excel in the digital economy.

"Through the Dell Foundation we seek to form effective and strategic community partnerships that we can support in the provision of educational services that address the critical and most basic technology access needs of our neighbours in Dell communities," said Rollins.

Dell employs about 4,500 staff in Ireland. In September, it announced that it was to add 80 new jobs to its European Enterprise Expert Centre in Dublin, which already employed 340 people.