Central Bank Reports Over 4,000 ATMs to Ensure Cash Access in Ireland

A report from the Central Bank of Ireland indicates that the country is maintaining robust access to cash, with over 4,000 ATMs and more than 1,200 cash service points currently operational. This is part of the bank’s first quarterly Access to Cash report, which was published on December 31, 2025, and presents newly collected data on the availability of ATMs and cash service points across Ireland.

The report reveals there are 4,023 ATMs distributed throughout the nation, with the highest concentration found in Dublin, where 1,056 ATMs are located. Other notable figures include 439 ATMs in Cork, 246 in Galway, and 214 in Donegal. In Limerick and Kildare, there are 168 ATMs each, while Kerry has 153, Clare 106, Tipperary 126, and Waterford 104.

In addition to ATMs, the report highlights the existence of 1,247 cash service points. These locations, which include banks where individuals can deposit and withdraw cash, provide in-person assistance. The distribution of these service points includes 205 in Dublin, 152 in Cork, 93 in Galway, 60 in Mayo, 57 in Kerry, and 56 in Limerick. Other regions, such as Tipperary and Waterford, have 49 and 32 cash service points, respectively.

Under the new guidelines issued by Finance Minister Simon Harris in November, specific criteria have been established to ensure access to cash across the country. These criteria include a minimum percentage of the population in each region that must be located within 10 kilometers of both an ATM and a cash service point. Furthermore, the guidelines stipulate the minimum number of ATMs required per 100,000 people in each area. The aim is to uphold the number of ATMs and cash service points at levels recorded in 2022, particularly following the exits of KBC and Ulster Bank from the market.

In the South-West region, for instance, the guidelines mandate that 98.5% of the population should be within 10 kilometers of an ATM, a target that has been successfully met. Currently, 79.9 ATMs are available per 100,000 people, which is slightly below the set threshold of 80 ATMs per 100,000.

The report identified six instances where the criteria were not fully met, but the shortfalls were minimal. “The data shows that Ireland’s cash infrastructure is largely in line with the criteria set by the Minister for Finance. However, there are some instances where the criteria are not met, and this will need to be rectified by the firms responsible under the legislation. We have outlined the identified shortfalls to firms, and they will provide us with their proposals to address these in the coming weeks,” stated Vasileios Madouros, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank.

The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), representing AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB, affirmed its commitment to reviewing the Central Bank’s cash infrastructure data and ensuring the provision of necessary ATM and cash service point services promptly.

Finance Minister Simon Harris emphasized that the report reflects the level of access to cash infrastructure across Ireland, which is being safeguarded as envisaged in recent legislation. He noted, “As payments continue to digitalise, it remains important and essential to recognise that cash is a necessary means of payment for many people. This includes not only the older generations in our society but also individuals who may not have access to digital payment options.”

As the landscape of currency continues to evolve, ensuring access to cash remains a priority for the government and financial institutions, highlighting the ongoing need for reliable cash services in an increasingly digital economy.