Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
280. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will be taking in relation to the recent announcement that a bank (details supplied) will be withdrawing cash, cheque lodgement services, foreign exchange and bank draft services from over the counter and lodgement machines in a branch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52869/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that as Minister for Finance I have no role in the commercial decisions made by any bank in the State. This includes banks in which the State has a shareholding.
Decisions in this regard, including the management of branch networks, are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. The independence of banks in which the State has a shareholding is protected by Relationship Frameworks which are legally binding documents that cannot be changed unilaterally. These frameworks, which are publicly available, were insisted upon by the European Commission to protect competition in the Irish market. The AIB Relationship Framework can be found on my department's website.
AIB have informed me that while their bank branch in Blessington will no longer offer over the counter cash services, their existing team will continue to personally support and advise customers on their financial needs, be it account opening, mortgages, business or personal loans or financial planning. The branch remains open Monday from 10am to 5pm and Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
AIB’s partnership with An Post enables customers to conduct the vast majority of their day to day banking transactions through their local post office, also located on Main St, Blessington. These services, available to Personal and Business customers, include cash withdrawal, cash and coin lodgements. More banking services will become available in the Post Office from December 13th, including an “off counter” facility for business customers to enable faster lodgements. Also, the Post Office will have longer opening hours than the AIB branch, including Saturday opening. AIB’s team in Blessington is in ongoing contact with customers about this change.
