The Central Bank of Ireland has launched a public consultation on implementing new **Access to Cash** responsibilities under the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025, which commenced on 30 June 2025. This consultation addresses two critical areas: identifying local deficiencies in cash infrastructure and establishing minimum ATM service standards. The initiative reflects regulatory commitment to ensuring cash remains readily available as payment preferences shift toward digital channels.
What Changed
The consultation covers two primary regulatory components:
*1. Local Deficiency Guidelines**
The Central Bank will establish procedures for identifying geographical areas where individuals and SMEs face particular difficulties accessing cash, even where overall access-to-cash criteria are met. The guidelines will specify how the Central Bank receives notifications, undertakes assessments, and makes determinations regarding local deficiencies.
*2. ATM Service Standards and Operator Requirements
What You Need To Do
- *For designated credit institutions
- Monitor consultation developments and prepare for compliance with minimum cash infrastructure maintenance levels once regulations are finalized
- Prepare to provide quarterly data on ATM numbers, locations, and availability hours
- *For ATM operators
- Engage with the consultation process to provide feedback on proposed service standards
Key Dates
5 December 2025 – 4 March 2026 – Public consultation period for local deficiency guidelines and ATM service standards
30 June 2025 – Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025 commenced
Early 2026 – First publication of quarterly cash infrastructure data expected
30 June 2026 – Central Bank to publish local deficiency guidelines
2026 – Central Bank to publish final ATM service standards regulations
Compliance Impact
Urgency: HIGH