Important Message from the Cobh Credit Union Manager

Dear Member,

I am sure by now you will be aware of the increased restrictions imposed by the Taoiseach on the advice of the Health Services Executive on television last night. The country is now essentially in lockdown for at least the next two weeks, until Easter Sunday. However, it remains unlikely that the restrictions will be lifted then. I think we would all agree that the Health care workers are doing amazing work under very challenging conditions and this will only get more difficult in the coming weeks.

This has equally been a very difficult time for our members on a number of fronts, not least the ones who have lost their jobs and are worried about their commitments to the Credit Union. Be assured that the Credit Union understands your fears and will stand by you, while this uncertainty continues how ever long it takes.  This will end and when it does, we will take the necessary steps to protect every borrower affected by this crisis. If you are having difficulties and haven’t yet contacted us then please do as soon as possible. We are here to help.

To the members that visit the office each week, we thank you for your patience and understanding as we impose social distance measures and reduced opening times. The staff are working under enormous pressure as workplace practices have changed drastically in the last 3 weeks, personal and workplace hygiene has taken on a new and very important role in their lives and this has to be strictly enforced for all our sakes.

If we believe the Chief Medical Officer and the Taoiseach (and there is no reason not to) there is a surge coming, hence the new restrictions that were announced last night in an effort to drive the virus back into the home where it can be contained. We would urge you all to consider these new restriction’s and apply them in adjusting the way you interact with the Credit Union in the coming weeks and perhaps months. We are still considered an essential service in the eyes of the government and to that end its “business as usual” however please consider the following before you make a trip to the credit union in the coming weeks;

• Firstly, is your trip to the Credit Union absolutely essential? For example, are you making the trip to withdraw money as the credit union is your only source of savings? If this is so then your trip is absolutely necessary, but if you are in the vulnerable category i.e. over 70 or have an underlining condition then you should nominate a trusted family member or friend to act as your agent until this crisis passes. Consider your own health first.
• Is your trip purely to deposit savings for yourself or other’s? this could be deemed as non- essential and we would ask you to consider this before travelling. I know the habit of saving every week is a hard one to break, but you can also do this by standing order for now and revert to over the counter after the crisis.
• Is your trip for the purpose of paying a loan that is scheduled on a weekly basis? Equally this could be deemed non-essential. I know a lot of you are worried about missed payments on loans and I am not encouraging same. There are other ways that we can accommodate this e.g. you can pay through your bank account by standing order, or you can call us and we will make an arrangement to pay monthly until the restrictions are lifted.
• Don’t forget we are still open for business in other ways and are still lending so if you have an emergency e.g. car repairs, essential house repairs electrical, plumbing etc. these loans as in the past will be fast tracked.

We do love to see the members visiting the Credit Union every day. However, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. The next few weeks, and maybe months are crucial in tackling this epidemic, its in all our hands, we have an amazing staff that are working under enormous pressure and we would appeal to you to adhere to the new restrictions and help us to get over this as soon as possible.

Stay Safe

Michael Carlin

Manager