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Access to Cash

The banking sector recognises the importance of cash for many consumers and small businesses. This commitment is demonstrated through ongoing investment by AIB, Bank of Ireland and PSTB in the provision of cash services, including branches and ATMs, which continue to play an important role for many customers and communities across the country.

At the same time, consumers are changing the way they pay, with ATM cash withdrawals having fallen by over a third (37%) since 2019 (before the pandemic) as more people choose to manage their money digitally. In this context, banks remain committed to ensuring there is reasonable access to cash in line with their obligations under the access to cash legislation.

Access to Cash legislation

In 2025, the Government introduced the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025, which established a national framework to support ongoing access to cash.

Under the Act:

      • The Minister for Finance has set national access‑to‑cash criteria for each of Ireland’s eight NUTS3 regions (Border, West, Mid‑West, South‑East, South‑West, Dublin, Mid‑East and Midlands). These criteria include proximity to ATMs and cash service points (including bank branches and post offices) and minimum ATM numbers per 100,000 people.

      • The Central Bank of Ireland is responsible for monitoring access to cash nationwide, publishing cash‑infrastructure data each quarter and identifying if additional services are required based on the criteria.

      • Certain credit institutions are formally designated as responsible for providing access to cash under the legislation based on their share of current accounts and household deposits. Currently, AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB, have been designated under the Act and are known as the ‘designated entities’. They are collectively responsible for ensuring access to ATMs and Cash Service Points in line with the legislation.

    How Access to Cash is monitored

    As part of its role under the Access to Cash legislation, the Central Bank of Ireland collects and publishes cash‑infrastructure data on a quarterly basis on the availability of cash services across the country, including:

        • the number and distribution of ATMs,

        • the number and distribution of cash service points and

        • a regional assessment of how each area is performing against the access‑to‑cash criteria set out in legislation.

      If this assessment highlights areas where additional cash services are required the designated entities, AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB, are notified by the Central Bank of Ireland and will work collaboratively, via BPFI, to provide the relevant services in line with the framework set out under the Act.

      Further information

      The banking sector will continue to engage constructively with the framework with further updates on access to cash and related services available here as they arise.

      Further information on Access to Cash can also be found by visiting Central Bank of Ireland.