Public bodies must continue to accept cash payments - Calleary

Mayo Fianna Fáil Minister Dara Calleary, has welcomed a move by his party colleague and Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath who has asked public bodies to ensure that they continue to accept cash from members of the public seeking to access services.

Minister McGrath has written to Government colleagues asking that public bodies maintain their existing payment methods in relation to cash acceptance pending the completion of the National Payments Strategy (NPS).

The strategy will set out a roadmap for the future evolution of the entire payments system, taking account of developments in digital payments, cash usage and how future changes should be made to the legislative criteria relating to Access to Cash.

Minister Calleary said: “We know that there are many people across the country whose preference it is to carry out their business using cash and there's a cohort of people also, particularly older people, who may not be comfortable moving to cashless payments.

“My colleagues and I in Fianna Fáil firmly believe that people without access to online or electronic payment structures must continue to have alternative options to pay for services. It’s important that when it comes to paying for services such as the NCT or for those trying to renew a driving licence for example, that the payment options available are accessible to everyone, a refusal to accept cash is understandably a huge sense of frustration for many.

“The NPS will consult with the public on such matters later this year and consider whether legislation should be introduced to require certain sectors or sub-sectors to accept or facilitate the acceptance of cash, among other issues.

“I understand that a finalised strategy will be published next year and while the Department is undertaking this research, the Minister has asked that public bodies continue to ensure cash acceptance for services provided, which I welcome.”