ABOUT C.R.I.S.P.

Carlow Rural Information Services Project (CRISP) is a company limited by guarantee, set up to create a network of Computer Access Centres throughout County Carlow, in order to provide training and support to people of all ages who typically lack access to computers and related technologies, in a positive learning environment leading to the development of personal skills and self confidence.

The project is supported by a Community Services Programme (administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs), Carlow Local Authorities, and various local and national agencies who support ongoing training and other ICT initiatives.

The CRISP Project amalgamated a number of existing ICT initiatives and continued to develop the idea of computer access and supported training for all citizens of County Carlow. By the end of 2005 it had centres located in Carlow town, Tullow, Borris, Hacketstown, and Myshall and had a working arrangement with a community-based centre in Ballon.

CRISP provides a wide range of computer training courses in its centres including Beginners, Intermediate, ECDL, Digital Photography, Computerised Accounts, and Web Design. It promotes open access, whereby citizens can use computers for their own purposes with support from centre staff on an hourly basis.

It works closely with local agencies to develop relevant programmes for the agencies clients and secures national funding where possible to subsidise training costs for target groups and individuals.

The project is socially inclusive and strives to bring the benefits of ICT to every citizen in the county, through the catchment areas of its centres and through proactive outreach programmes and community based initiatives.