The Government’s Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024 has passed through the Dáil, marking a major step toward protecting public access to physical cash across Ireland — especially in rural and underserved areas.
The legislation will now progress to the Seanad for further debate and approval.
While digital payments continue to rise, many people — especially older citizens, low-income households, and rural residents — still rely heavily on cash for daily transactions.
The bill aims to prevent a scenario where these communities are left behind or vulnerable in emergencies when digital payment systems fail.
It also follows concerns over bank branch closures and ATM removals, which have left some areas with limited or no access to cash facilities.
Stay tuned for updates as the legislation progresses.
The legislation will now progress to the Seanad for further debate and approval.
- Obligation on Banks:
The bill requires banks to maintain ATM services in designated regions, with a special focus on preventing financial exclusion in rural communities. - Central Bank Oversight:
The Central Bank will be granted powers to address gaps in access, ensuring adequate cash availability where it may otherwise be at risk. - Baseline Access Levels:
Access to cash must be maintained at levels equivalent to December 2022, acting as a safeguard against rapid digitalisation and ATM closures. - ATM Density Requirement:
The bill includes a provision for a minimum number of ATMs per 100,000 people, ensuring fair geographic distribution. - Retail Banking Review Influence:
The move stems from a Retail Banking Review published in November 2022, which highlighted:
- Cash's role in financial inclusion
- Its importance for budgeting
- Its function as a backup during cyber-attacks or digital outages
Why It Matters:
While digital payments continue to rise, many people — especially older citizens, low-income households, and rural residents — still rely heavily on cash for daily transactions.
The bill aims to prevent a scenario where these communities are left behind or vulnerable in emergencies when digital payment systems fail.
It also follows concerns over bank branch closures and ATM removals, which have left some areas with limited or no access to cash facilities.
Next Steps:
The bill will now be considered by the Seanad, and if approved, will be signed into law — ensuring that access to cash remains a protected right in Ireland’s financial infrastructure.Stay tuned for updates as the legislation progresses.
