Central Bank of Ireland launches Access to Cash consultation

The Central Bank of Ireland has today (5 December) launched a public consultation on the implementation of our new Access to Cash responsibilities.

Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros said: “Amid a rapidly evolving payments landscape, the Central Bank of Ireland is committed to making sure that cash continues to be readily available as a means of payment. Today’s consultation is an important step towards the implementation of the Central Bank’s new responsibilities under the Access to Cash legislation.”

The public consultation covers two parts of the new Access to Cash regime.

Firstly, the new legislation provides for the identification of local deficiencies in the cash infrastructure. That relates to certain geographical areas where there may be particular difficulties in accessing cash, even if the Access to Cash criteria are being met. The Central Bank is required to prepare guidelines setting out how we will receive notifications, undertake assessments, and make determinations regarding local deficiencies in cash infrastructure. Today’s public consultation is seeking views on our proposed guidelines.

Secondly, we are consulting on setting minimum ATM service standards and notifications requirements for firms operating ATMs. In 2026, we will publish regulations outlining ATM service standards relating to the hours of ATM availability, cash withdrawal limits, banknote denomination stocking, maximum ATM unavailability periods, and signage and information requirements.  The regulations will also set out requirements for ATM operators to notify the Central Bank and the public when they intend to make changes to their business.

Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros said: “This is an opportunity for members of the public and key stakeholders to have a say in how these important elements of the legislation will be implemented. We want to hear a wide range of views, so that we can implement these provisions in an effective, balanced and proportionate manner.”

The period of open public consultation will run from 5 December 2025 until 4 March 2026. We welcome feedback on one or both parts of the consultation, and feedback can be provided in a single response, if preferred.

The Central Bank of Ireland will also engage directly with consumers, people with disabilities, older people and SMEs, in particular in the retail and hospitality sectors, during the first three months of 2026.

ENDS

Further Information

Additional information and the consultations are available on the Central Bank of Ireland website.