A new law requiring financial institutions to ensure ATMs are located within 10 kilometres of the vast majority of homes and businesses is set to come into effect this week. The measure aims to guarantee nationwide access to cash, particularly in rural areas affected by bank branch closures.
Simon Harris, in one of his first actions as Ireland’s Minister for Finance, is expected to formally sign the order enforcing the new rules. The legislation, passed by the Oireachtas last May, responds to growing concerns over access to cash in communities across the State.
Following the passage of the law, the Central Bank was tasked with compiling detailed information on ATM and cash services throughout the country. That research has now been completed, providing the data needed to implement the order.
Under the new requirements, financial institutions will be legally obliged to maintain ATMs in locations that ensure most homes and businesses can reach one within a 10-kilometre radius. The measures are expected to safeguard cash access in towns and villages where residents have faced difficulties following widespread branch closures in recent years.
Harris emphasised the importance of the initiative for rural communities. “This order will ensure that people living in towns and villages across Ireland can continue to access cash easily,” he said. “It is a vital step in supporting communities that have seen bank branches close over the last decade.”
The legislation forms part of a broader effort to maintain cash infrastructure in an increasingly digital banking environment. While card payments and online banking have grown in popularity, officials have noted that cash remains essential for many consumers, particularly in remote areas, for small transactions, and for those who rely on it as their primary means of payment.
The new rules will also require financial institutions to monitor coverage and adjust ATM networks where necessary, ensuring compliance with the 10-kilometre requirement over time. Banks found failing to meet the obligations could face enforcement action from the Central Bank.
Consumer groups have welcomed the legislation as a positive step toward ensuring equitable access to financial services nationwide. They noted that ATM availability is a key component of financial inclusion, especially for older residents and small businesses that rely on cash transactions.
With the formal signing of the order, Ireland moves closer to guaranteeing universal access to cash, providing reassurance to communities that have struggled with reduced banking services. The law underscores the government’s commitment to balancing the growth of digital finance with the practical needs of citizens across the country.
