The Camp Community Council in west Kerry involves a go-ahead group of people who like to do things for themselves. The village of Camp is usually seen by people on their way to other places. It has its natural attractions, of course, but now people may be inclined to stop for the more man-made wonders of a cyber session and a cup of coffee before they continue their journey.
The council has just opened the first community Internet cafe, aided by one of the European funding programmes aimed at helping disadvantaged areas and promoting social inclusion. The state-of-the-art centre, says Brigid O'Connor, chairwoman of the council, will enable local people to have access to computer and Internet training right in their own backyard.
In future, it is hoped that teleworking services will be developed to promote employment in the area. A skills audit has already shown that 75 per cent of young people would return to Camp if they could find suitable work at home. The Institute of Technology in Tralee will be linked to the centre through the Kerry Technology Park.