Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent purchase of a large number of ATMs by a company (details supplied) from pillar banks; if the companies that operate ATMs but are not operating as a licensed bank are regulated by the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23847/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is aware that the number of bank operated ATMs across the country has been declining in recent years. This is mainly because banks have sold, mostly offsite, ATMs to independent ATM deployers (IADs).

The latest data from the BPFI shows that in December 2021 there were 1,787 ATMs operated by banks in Ireland. This figure is down from 2,353 in December 2020.

IADs are not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. IADs are regarded as Professional Cash Handlers. The Central Bank monitors all Professional Cash Handlers involved in the recirculation of euro banknotes for compliance with the Decision of the European Central Bank (ECB/2010/14) on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes. Professional Cash Handlers must ensure compliance with Decision ECB/2010/14 prior to distribution of euro banknotes via ATMs, etc.

The revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) regulates payment service providers across Europe. When it was transposed in 2018, PSD2 extended transparency rules relating to withdrawal charges to IADs. Under PSD2 IADs are required to clearly display charges to their user’s both before withdrawal of cash and upon receipt of cash.

It is also worth noting that a review of PSD2 is currently being carried out by the European Commission. It is likely that the provision relating to independent ATM deployers will be examined as part of that review.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of ATMs in the State, by county. [23848/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The level of data requested is not available on ATMs operating in Ireland.

The Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) collects data on the total number of bank operated ATMs cross the country. This has been declining in recent years mainly because banks have sold, mainly offsite, ATMs to Independent ATM Deployers (IADs) and more recently also due to branch closures.

The latest data from the BPFI shows that in December 2021 there were 1,787 ATMs operated by banks in Ireland. This figure is down from 2,353 in December 2020.

The BPFI do not have sight of whether the IADs maintained or closed ATMs after the recent purchases. However it estimates that the total number of ATMs (operated by banks and IADs) was approximately 2,900 in December 2021.