Asylum seekers to have access to bank accounts from today

Campaigners have highlighted the access difficulties for asylum seekers due to documentation for many years. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Five of the country's main banks, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB, KBC, and Ulster Bank have agreed on a joint approach to allow asylum seekers in Ireland to set up a bank account. 

This follows years of campaigning and criticism from representative bodies that persons seeking international protection have been unable to access financial services due to an inability to provide identification documents.