Access to Cash – Our Role

We assess cash infrastructure via quarterly data returns submitted by designated entities, ATM operators and An Post. As part of this, we assess the number of cash service points and ATMs against the criteria set by the Minister for Finance.

We monitor compliance by designated entities with the access to cash criteria. If we identify non-compliance (i.e. any region where the access to cash criteria level falls below the thresholds set by the Minister), we will notify the designated entities. We assess proposals submitted by the designated entities to determine whether they will address the non-compliance.

Under the Act, the Central Bank has powers to collect and publish information relating to the cash infrastructure across Ireland.

Since Q1 2026, we publish data each quarter on:

• The number of ATMs and cash service points in the Irish State
• Their location
• Their hours of availability

This data is published for each of the eight NUTS3 regions in Ireland (i.e. Border, West, Mid-West, South-East, South-West, Dublin, Mid-East, and Midlands.

Where non-compliance is identified, we will take measures such as issuing directions to designated entities to ensure compliance with the criteria.

Central Bank of Ireland can review the access to cash criteria:

• At the request of the Minister
• On our own initiative
• In response to changes such as a significant drop in cash demand or new census data.

We will advise the Minister if we believe that adjustments to the criteria are required.

Where a member of the public believes that there is, or is likely to be, a deficiency in access to cash in their locality, they can make a submission to the Central Bank. We will then determine whether a local deficiency exists, and if we determine that further cash infrastructure should be provided, we will notify the designated entities that are responsible for addressing this. The local deficiency regime came into effect on 30 June 2026.

Credit Institutions – with a minimum share of current (6%) and deposit (7.5%) account business in the Irish State – are responsible for compliance with the access to cash criteria and local deficiency requirements. Central Bank of Ireland has powers under the Act to designate entities based on these requirements. We have confirmed the following as designated entities:

• AIB
• Bank of Ireland
• PTSB

 

Based on quarterly data, Central Bank of Ireland can – at any time – reassess whether credit institutions are required to be designated.

View the current register of designated entities.

The Act recognises that ATM deployers and cash-in-transit (CIT) providers play an important role in ensuring access to cash and supporting the national cash cycle.

Under the Act, the Central Bank has responsibility for registering and overseeing:

• ATM deployers
• Cash-in-transit providers

Industry Information – Registration of ATM deployers and cash-in-transit providers

Central Bank of Ireland is currently finalising minimum ATM Service Standards and notification requirements for ATM Operators following public consultation.

In December 2025, we published a consultation on the identification of local deficiencies in the cash infrastructure (CP163) and on minimum ATM service standards and notification requirements for ATM operators (CP164).

CP164 sought the views of stakeholders on proposed regulations that will set requirements for ATM Operators. The draft regulations address key areas, including ATM availability hours, cash withdrawal limits, banknote denomination stocking, maximum unavailability periods, and signage requirements. They also establish notification requirements for ATM operators when making changes to their business.

During the 12-week consultation period, we met with a number of stakeholders to hear their views on the proposed requirements. We received 17 written submissions from firms operating in the ATM sector, including independent ATM deployers, cash-in-transit providers, and retail banks, as well as stakeholder organisations representing hospitality, retail, state bodies, rural communities, and advocacy bodies representing people with disabilities.

The Central Bank has carefully considered all feedback it received through engagement and written submissions and is in the process of finalising regulations. A detailed feedback statement providing an overview of feedback received and the final regulations will be published in the coming months.