Deputy Steven Matthews, Green TD for Wicklow, has welcomed the decision of AIB to shelve its plans to turn 70 of its bank branches cashless. Speaking following the announcement of the news by AIB, Deputy Matthews said:
“I welcome the news that AIB has reversed its decision to end cash services at its branches in Greystones and Wicklow Town. There was strong opposition to this move across society, and recognition that the removal of cash facilities would have disproportionately affected small businesses as well as older and more vulnerable people. It is encouraging that the senior management of AIB engaged with this criticism and have adjusted their plans to promote digital banking.
“We have already seen a decline in banking services in Wicklow over the last two years, with the closure of Bank of Ireland branches in Carnew, Rathdrum and Tinahely, and the recent exit of Ulster Bank and KBC from the market. Local bank branches play an important role in our towns and villages, providing assistance across the community to individual customers, local organisations and small businesses. The discontinuation of cash, cheque and ATM facilities would have been unacceptable to people living in Greystones and Wicklow Town and would have resulted in them travelling longer distances to access these services in other locations.
“As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and face significant cost-of-living pressures, we need to consider a community-based model of banking that prioritises one-to-one assistance for customers. As a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, I look forward to engaging further with this issue in preparation for Budget 2023. If anyone has concerns about access to banking services in Wicklow, I would encourage them to get in touch directly and I will offer any support I can”, Deputy Matthews concluded.
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