Minister: 'We are not ready to move to a completely cashless economy'

While the pandemic has accelerated the use of contactless and digital payments, the finance minister says cash remains a vital part of the Irish economy.

The increased use of contactless and digital payments during the pandemic will not lead to the exclusion of cash payments in Ireland, the minister for finance has said.

The rise in digital financial services has seen some retailers refuse to accept cash but has led to concerns that vulnerable groups who rely on cash payments could be excluded.