Central Bank of Ireland publishes first Access to Cash report and flags six regional criteria shortfalls

The Central Bank of Ireland has published its first quarterly Access to Cash report, using newly collected data to map the number, location and opening hours of ATMs and cash service points across eight Irish regions as at 31 December 2025. The report finds cash infrastructure is largely in line with the access-to-cash criteria set by the Minister for Finance, but identifies six instances where criteria are not met, and the Central Bank has written to the designated entities responsible for addressing any shortfalls. The data shows just over 4,000 ATMs and just over 1,200 cash service points nationally. Shortfalls relate to proximity requirements in the Border and West regions for both ATMs and cash service points, and to ATM capacity requirements in the South-West and West regions (ATMs per 100,000 people). The criteria are designed to maintain ATM and cash service point levels at 2022 levels, taking account of KBC and Ulster Bank’s exit from the Irish market, with AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB currently designated under the legislation to remedy any gaps. The designated entities are expected to provide proposals to address the identified shortfalls in the coming weeks. From July, members of the public will be able to submit concerns to the Central Bank where they believe there is a local deficiency in access to cash, and a consultation on the guidelines and the proposed assessment approach is open until 4 March.