Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish or phase out the use of personal cheques; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48605/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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While the Government does not plan to abolish the use of personal cheques, the National Payments Plan which I launched in April 2013 aims to reduce the overall reliance on cash and cheques and facilitate a movement to more efficient forms of electronic payments.  The Plan analysed the extent of usage of personal cheques and recognised that  elements of Irish society, such as the elderly, will continue to rely on cheques to ensure their participation in and access to the financial services framework. In that regard the Plan acknowledges that movement away from the usage of cheques by personal consumers will be encouraged by the availability of attractive alternative payment options from financial services providers. Some evidence is emerging of that transition through the increased availability of broader e-banking and mobile payment options but it is anticipated that this process will be ongoing for personal cheque users.