Finance Minister Michael Noonan has promised that the Government will support Credit Unions in implementing the recommendations of a report, which proposes the biggest restructuring in the movement's history.
There are currently more than 400 Credit Unions in the country, boasting 3m members and assets of €13.7bn.
Earlier this month, a report by the Government's Commission on Credit Unions proposed huge restructuring of the sector.
It said many Credit Unions will have to amalgamate to survive and called for greater Central Bank supervision.
Minister Noonan today told the annual meeting of the League of Credit Unions that the Government will support them in the difficult changes ahead.
The League of Credit Unions said the changes will make the movement stronger, however opinion among delegates on the ground is divided.
To underline the sensitivities surrounding the report, delegates at the conference set aside two hours to consider its recommendations.
Those discussions took place behind closed doors and the outcome will not be announced until tomorrow.
