mulcair-cu, Author at Mulcair Credit Union Limited

Art Competition 2020

by mulcair-cu | Sep 10, 2020 | Latest News

The Credit Union Art Competition 2020 has landed!

This year’s theme is “Imagine More”, encouraging entrants to think past the current situation and imagine. Imagine More is influenced by the creative role art plays in Irish society and encourages participants to unlock their imagination and look at how art inspires us and our communities. Despite the current challenges, art has kept people from all walks of life connected and this year’s theme encourages participants to express this connectivity on paper or canvass.

Art has always been a huge part of Irish life and the Credit Union Art Competition, now in its 37th year, is dedicated to supporting and developing the arts in Irish society. Promoting and encouraging involvement in the arts across communities is an important message we want to spread. Art plays a critical role in enriching the lives of everyone and is central to sustaining, and increasing connections. Entrants are urged to reflect on the crucial role that the arts play in Irish society and how they help bind communities.

There are no age limits to the competition and it is open to children aged seven years and under right through to anyone aged 18 years and over.

Winners at local level will go on to a regional level, and regional winners will progress to the national awards ceremony in February 2021. Closing Date is Friday 09th October 2020 at 6pm.

Entry forms are available from the Mulcair Credit Union office or by clicking below to download a form.

Download Form: 2020 Art Competition Entry Form

Download Procedures Manual: 2020 Art Competition Procedures Manual

Back to School Research 2020

by mulcair-cu | Aug 12, 2020 | Latest News

Over a quarter (27%) of Irish parents are getting into debt to cover the costs of back to school. While this figure is down from 36% in 2019, the average debt parents find themselves in has increased by €40 from €357 to €397. Of this 27% in debt, over four fifths (81%) have debts of over €200 with over a quarter of these having debts of over €500.

This is not surprising as back to school costs continue to rise for parents, with the overall spend on school items for primary school students at €1,123, up €174 from last year. In secondary schools’ parents average spend is €1,467, up €68 on last year.

The top expense this year for parents of primary school children is after school care at an average of €200 up from €117 in 2019. For second level parents the biggest expense is books at €196 down from €220 last year. Voluntary contributions for primary schools have increased by 25% to an average of €110 per child from €88 in 2019, with secondary school contributions remaining at an average of €140.

Over two thirds (69%) of Irish parents pay for their children’s back to school supplies from their general monthly income with 20% using their credit card, up from 13% in 2019. The use of savings has grown from 27% to 34%, 6% take a credit union loan, down from 9%, with those turning to moneylenders remaining at 3%.

66% of parents say that covering the cost of back to school is a financial burden, although encouragingly this is down from 78% last year. Almost 4 in 10 (37%) consider the costs associated with back to school as their main concern in the lead up to getting their children ready to return to school, down from 50% in 2019. Interestingly, there has been an increase in parents being concerned amount managing their schedule at 33% up from 20% last year.

The findings were revealed in the annual Republic of Ireland school-costs survey commissioned by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) and carried out by i-Reach Insights in June 2020 when 948 parents of school going children were surveyed.

The results of the survey also revealed that 66% of parents shop online for school supplies, a rise of 15% from 2019, with respondents citing convenience (59%), saving money (59%) and the availability of better deals (56%) as the main reasons for doing so.

Cutting back on family holidays is still one of the biggest sacrifices that families make to cover back to school costs at 34%, with a quarter cutting back on summer camps. 64% have had to deny their children extracurricular activities with 38% cancelling school trips to help fund back to schools costs.

44% of parents say they feel pressured into buying branded clothing, footwear and other items for their children as opposed to generic or own brand goods, while more than 2 in 3 (69%) believe that schools don’t do enough to help parents keep the costs of going back to school down, an increase of 5% from 2019.

COVID-19 findings

The ILCU survey also highlighted concerns of parents brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over a fifth (22%) of Irish parents reported that there has been a reduction in their household income as a result of Covid-19. A similar number (21%) are finding the extra cost of feeding their children when home-schooling to have had the biggest effect on household finances.

When it comes to children going back to school, 59% of parents believe there will be a mix of home schooling and classroom for the new term while nearly half (49%) said that they would carefully consider the measures put in place in schools before deciding whether to send their children back to school.

42% of parents are worried about their child’s mental health for the upcoming term if children will not be returning to school in a full-time classroom setting with a further 41% concerned about their children catching up on missed teaching. 42% of parents are already concerned that their children have fallen behind in class as a result of home-schooling during the lockdown, while 23% said they would struggle with returning to work if schools don’t reopen fully.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, 36% of parents feel their children are spending too much time watching TV or on mobile devices (32%) as a result of being home-schooled. A third of parents (33%) also believe their children are missing their friends from school and may be lonely as a result.

If schools do not reopen or only partially reopen, 38% of parents stated that they are lacking resources for proper home schooling. These include educational resources and materials (38%) and printing (35%). Nearly a third of respondents cited poor broadband coverage as a major concern in delivering effective home schooling.

ILCU survey shows marked increase in average debt of parents coping with Back to School costs

Over a quarter (27%) of Irish parents find themselves in debt in order to cover the costs of back to school for their children, with 8% having debts of over €500.
The average debt parents find themselves in to cover the costs of back to school is €397, an increase of €40 from last year.
Parents now spending €1,467 per secondary school child – up €68 on last year.
At primary school level, spending has increased by €174 and now stands at €1,123 per child.
69% of parents believe schools don’t do enough to keep costs down.

Covid-19 related concerns

42% of parents are worried that their children will fall behind in class as a result of home schooling over the past few months.
Over half (59%) of parents believe there will be a mix of home schooling and classroom for the new term.
49% will carefully consider the measures put in place in schools before deciding whether to send their children back to school.
Over a third of parents said they are not equipped with sufficient resources if full or part-time home-schooling becomes the norm with 29% citing poor broadband as a major concern.

Most Highly Regarded Organisation

by mulcair-cu | May 7, 2020 | Latest News

*Breaking news – its the little things that make the difference!*

Today, we are delighted to announce that credit unions have topped the Ireland Reptrak®️ 2020 study as the most reputable and highly regarded organisation in Ireland!

This study, undertaken by the The Reputations Agency delves into the perceptions of the public and measures levels of trust, admiration, respect and esteem they have for 100 organisations in Ireland.

As a trusted cornerstone in local communities, now more than ever, credit unions understand just how much the little things make a difference 🌎 #ImagineMore #LittleThings