Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the downgrading a service (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46584/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My officials have investigated this matter and have found that Ulster Bank have not reduced service in their Ballyconnell branch. The opening hours have not changed. Ballyconnell customers, in addition to using the branch, can manage their personal and business accounts directly, anytime and anywhere using:

- Anytime internet banking

- Mobile phone banking

- Anytime Telephone banking

- ATMs

- Bankline

- An Post

Ulster Bank closed three branches in the Cavan/Monaghan constituency this year – Arva, Carrickmacross and Cootehill. However, they introduced six Community Banker roles, who are experienced staff that represent Ulster Bank in the community with a focus on providing support to customers. These roles focus on the geographical areas where branches have closed. Ulster Bank have also enhanced the existing transactional banking services they offer via An Post for Cootehill, Arva and Carrickmacross customers.

During September 2017, Ulster Bank launched a mobile banking ‘Bank on Wheels’ service in Cavan and Monaghan which operates 5 days a week and can accept deposits, cash withdrawals, bill payments, and all vehicles have on-board customer phone facilities for contacting central areas to enquire about products and services.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the downgrading of a service (details supplied) in Counties Cavan and Monaghan; the way in which service have been affected as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46585/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Notwithstanding the State’s 14% minority shareholding in Bank of Ireland, I, as Minister, have no direct function in commercial decisions taken by the bank including those which are part of the relationship between the bank and its customers. Decisions of this nature are matters for the board and management of the institution. The Minister has responsibility to ensure that the bank is run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to protect the value of the bank as an asset to the State. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in actions taken by the BOI in matters of this nature.

A Relationship Framework has been specified which defines the nature of the relationship between the Minister and Bank of Ireland which can be found at the following link:

Notwithstanding this, officials in the Department of Finance have been provided with an update by Bank of Ireland relating to developments in its branch network with the bank commenting on its retention of a strong nationwide branch presence (c. 250 branches and 16 additional banking outlets), and in branches where staff move from behind the counter, the continued provision to customers of a comprehensive range of products and services, the ability to lodge and withdraw cash from easy to use self-service devices and access to online phone services. In addition, the bank has highlighted its commitment to supporting vulnerable and elderly customers in the use of digital and self-service options.

Finally, the matter raised by the Deputy was the subject of a Topical Issues debate during the summer and further details of the update supplied by Bank of Ireland was shared with the Dail at that time. The full debate can be found at the following link: