Orders relating to sections 5 and 10 of the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025 are to come into effect on Friday, Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris has said.

The legislation places new obligations on banks such as Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB to ensure a certain level of access to ATMs across the State.

The Central Bank of Ireland will be responsible for monitoring and enforcement of the legislation.

Monitoring will be on a quarterly basis, and the bank will have the necessary powers to direct designated entities to implement measures to comply with access to cash criteria and address local deficiencies.

Mr Harris said: “In recent years, the Irish payments system has become increasingly digitalised, yet cash remains an important means of payment for many people in society, such as the older generation or those who are digitally excluded.”

The new legislation “will ensure that cash is accessible in communities right across the country”, he added.

Gabriel Makhlouf, governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, said: “Amid a rapidly changing payments landscape, the Central Bank is committed to ensuring cash is readily available as a means of payment.

“The regulations announced today are an important step towards ensuring that consumers continue to have access to cash and in protecting the resilience of the cash system.

“They will also provide for the fair, orderly and transparent management of Ireland’s cash infrastructure as payment preferences continue to evolve.”