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

197. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank has plans to track and regulate ATMs given the exit of a number of banks from the retail banking sector and the sale of a large number of ATMs to non-bank operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31425/22]

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

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 independent ATM operators. Under PSD2 independent ATM operators are required to clearly display charges to their user’s both before withdrawal of cash and upon receipt of cash. The Central Bank of Ireland is the competent authority for PSD2 in Ireland.

A review of PSD2 is currently being carried out by the European Commission. It is likely that the provision relating to independent ATM operators will be examined as part of that review, including regulation and supervision. A public consultation on PSD2 is open on the European Commission’s website until 2 August.

Independent ATM operators 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.

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 operators and more recently also due to branch closures.

Latest data from the BPFI shows that in December 2021 there were 1,787 ATMs operated by banks, this is down from 2,353 in December 2020. The BPFI estimates that the total number of ATM’s was approximately 2,900 in December 2021.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of the retail banking sector. The Retail Banking Review has commenced its work and a public consultation is open on the Department’s website where members of the public can make a submission to the Department of Finance on issues, specifically Question 7 which seeks views on the regulation of ATMs, by 08 of July.