Co-ops generate €15bn annually

THE co-operative movement in Ireland is not dying out and is generating more than €15 billion in annual sales.

This is according to a study on co-operatives in Ireland which was presented yesterday at UCC as part of the annual Irish co-operative forum.

Bridget Carroll of the Centre for Co-operative Studies at UCC said co-operatives now employ over 20,000 people in Ireland and have 3.5 million members.