Finance « Thurles Information

Budget Leaks Taken In Perspective

Current reliable Irish statistics inform us that there are 250,000 children currently residing in families that now live below the poverty line.

Just a few short weeks ago we had the Children’s Referendum, held to supposedly strengthen the rights of children under our Irish Constitution. With this Children’s Referendum amendment now passed & with less then one week to go until Budget Day, planned leaks state that our current Fine Gael & Labour coalition government are about to cut child benefit. Such cuts, if true, would reduce benefits from €140 per month, per child, to €130, thus hitting these same vulnerable children and their families the hardest.

With each recent budget introduced, there has been a deepening of divisions within Irish society and this action, if continued, can now only lead to Greek style protests.

All policy choices made in next weeks Budget needs to be carefully assessed, not in just monetary terms, but in terms of how they will immediately impact on those in society who already cannot afford a basic minimum standard of living.

Any, & indeed all changes must be proportionate and equitable and based solely on the ability of different sectors of Irish society to pay.

While a large majority of the present electorate have given up all hope of Fine Gael leading us out of this current recession, the question now remains has the Labour Party forgotten its founders, James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O’Brien and their birthplace here in Clonmel Tipperary, one hundred years ago?

Remember The Words Of One Labour Party Founder, James Connolly

Quote “Ireland, as distinct from her people, is nothing to me; and the man who is bubbling over with love and enthusiasm for “Ireland,” and can yet pass unmoved through our streets and witness all the wrong and the suffering, the shame and the degradation wrought upon the people of Ireland, yea, wrought by Irishmen upon Irish men and women, without burning to end it, is, in my opinion, a fraud and a liar in his heart, no matter how he loves that combination of chemical elements he is pleased to call Ireland.” (Brendan Howlin & Joan Burton take special note.)

Meanwhile, note your TD’s Salary – € 92,675. Expenses €12,000 to €37,850 for unvouched travel & accommodation. €12,000 unvouched or €25,700 vouched for office costs. Automatic right to employ wife or other family members. Subsidised Dáil Bar, Free Gym and wait for it … FREE VHI Membership … etc etc.

No 77 minute road trip to an over burdened Limerick Hospital waiting room for our pampered over paid TD’s.

C&C Acquire Tipperary Water Manufacturer Gleeson Group

Cider and beer manufacturer C&C Group plc has acquired the Tipperary Water manufacturer, Drinks Supplier and Distributor Gleeson Group, for a reported €12.4m.

In a statement, C&C said the deal included taking on debt of around €44m with €4.4m of the agreed price deferred for one year. Existing debt is €45.6m.

As well as producing Tipperary Water (latter bottled at source in the village of Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary) together with Tipperary and Finches soft drinks, Gleeson Group is currently the largest distributor of packaged long alcohol drinks (LAD) to pubs in Ireland.

This deal, which is being financed out of C&C Groups existing facilities, gives them immediate access to this distribution network.
C&C were up marginally, at €3.99, in early morning trading.

Let Santa Be The Only One In The Red This Xmas

Many of us get caught up in the unnecessary expense of the Christmas season. It is so easy to forget that Christmas is not about costly gifts and putting yourself under extra financial pressure – it is about enjoying time with family and friends. So wisely state THURLES CREDIT UNION, who today have launched their annual Christmas campaign – “Let Santa be the only one in the red this Christmas.“

The campaign urges those in the Thurles area in particular, to avoid borrowing way beyond their means & thus avoid “a sack full of debt,” in the New Year.

To coincide with the launch of the campaign, THURLES CREDIT UNION have published the results of an Irish League of Credit Union (ILCU) survey on Christmas spending.

ILCU SURVEY FINDINGS

Finances / Spending

Irish consumers expect to spend €527 on average this Christmas compared to €562 last year. Middle age adults and females are likely to spend more money than other groups.

The ILCU Christmas survey shows that 8 in 10 Irish adults feel worse about their financial situation in the run up to Christmas 2012. However, 58% state that Christmas will be enjoyable regardless of financial worries.

Four in Ten persons will be able to rely on their regular income to pay for Christmas related costs, a further four in ten will dip into savings to finance their Christmas celebrations. 19% hold savings specifically for Christmas, 5% will use their credit card, 5% will get a credit union loan, 2% will borrow from family and friends and a further 2% will borrow from moneylenders.

Christmas Debt / Overspending

More than half of consumers (56%) expect to experience a shortfall in spending over the Christmas. Some 25% believe that they will end up paying for Christmas well into the New Year because of unnecessary financial expense. Some 31% worry where they will get the money to pay for extra expenses for Christmas.

Continue reading Let Santa Be The Only One In The Red This Xmas

Best Coal Prices Centenary Co-Op Thurles

A Warm Coal Fire

With November and Winter fast approaching, most families are viewing the cost of fuel prices.

Centenary Co-Op have once again dropped their Coal prices, only while stocks last, in their depots at Ballyduff, Thurles, Templemore, Cashel, Littleton, Loran, Montore and Roscrea.

This also offers the ideal opportunity for all housing estates to form their own little Co-Ops and take advantage of a considerable saving in fuel costs this winter.

Savings are as follows:
Five Bags of Premium Coal plus five bales of Briquettes €84.
Three Bags of Premium Coal plus two bales of Briquettes €47.
One Ton (25 Bags) costs €330 (€13.20 per Bag), while 80 bales of Briquettes cost €264 (€3.30 per Bale).
One Pallet (40 Bags) costs €525 (€13.125 per Bag), while 128 bales of Briquettes cost €422 (€3.296 per Bale).

It should be noted that all fuel is premium grade and is cash collected only.

Click on “Shop Icon” shown on the centre of map hereunder, for directions to Centenary Co-Op, Thurles.

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International Credit Union Day – Oct 18th

Thurles Credit Union Ltd will celebrate International Credit Union Day, (18th October next.) by hosting a Tea & Coffee morning in aid of MS Ireland (Tipperary Branch).

This year’s theme is “Members Matter Most.” This is the clear and simple message which summarises the very existence of credit unions. In the face of all challenges, credit unions have always existed to serve their membership.

Members Matter Most – The Credit Union Difference

Thurles Credit Union has served the local community for the last 51 years. Last year this credit union gave out 5,722 loans to the community which constituted €10,573,487 in value. That means that many families benefited directly from lending services last year. Over the last year 410 new members joined, which is a very noticeable sign that people are moving away from banks and towards credit unions.

Thurles Credit Union offers something different. They provide affordable loans and a safe place for savings.

At no cost to eligible members they also provide:-
• Loan Protection Insurance on loans – that means in the event of death your credit union loan dies with you and is not passed to your estate.
• Life Savings Insurance – that means that in the event of your death, next of kin will not only receive your savings but also an additional lump sum on top of that which has been built up over the term of your membership.
• Nomination facility – members over 16 years of age can nominate a person (or persons) to receive his/her property in the credit union on his/her death. This is of benefit if the member dies without leaving a will as the property left in the credit union will not have to pass through the sometimes timely intestacy process.

Thurles Credit Union Supporting Your Local Community

In the midst of many banks closing their local branches, the continued presence of the credit union in the community is of vital importance. While providing much needed local access to financial services, the credit union also has an ethos of supporting local initiatives. Thurles Credit Union has maintained its investment in the community by sponsoring/supporting various local sporting, educational and community groups.

Thurles Credit Union is proud of the role it continues to play in being more than a financial institution but a valuable resource to its community and its people. Michael Harty, Loans & Marketing Officer of Thurles Credit Union said: “Because of our members, credit unions are able to play a vital role in the development and financial stability of the communities we serve by providing fair loans and high quality services to our members. Our strength lies in our difference and we are very proud of this fact.”

So remember to drop in and say hello & put a note on your fridge door – International Credit Union Day, 18th October next, a Tea & Coffee Morning in aid of MS Ireland (Tipperary Branch).