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The decision for Bank of Ireland to downgrade its rural service has been dubbed “a huge insult to rural residents”.
This is according to the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Regional, Rural, Gaeltacht and Island Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, who vented his frustration at the bank’s decision, claiming it will lead to greater problems for farmers.
“Over the past number of weeks, Bank of Ireland has begun removing it’s over-the-counter services in branches across the country, leading to much frustration among the affected communities,” he said.
“Farmers regularly expect to withdraw sums greater than their ATM limits to buy cattle and sheep, but as a result of the bank’s downgrading, they will no longer be able to do this. New restrictions on lodgements are also posing problems for businesses in these towns and villages,” he continued.
The bank has withdrawn over-the-counter services from 100 branches, as it moves to more technology-driven services. This has resulted in changes to cash services and a reduction in other in-branch facilities.
Business people and farmers have been particularly inconvenienced by the move
Ó Cuív believes, however, that farmers will be among those who will suffer the most from these decisions.
“The service cutbacks are a major inconvenience for businesses and farmers in these areas. I am calling on the Ministers for the Gaeltacht and Rural & Community Development to meet the banks urgently, to outline their displeasure at these decisions,” Ó Cuív concluded.
Last week, Ó Cuív told the Irish Farmers Journal that as a result of the changes, businesses can’t lodge more than €3,000 and can’t withdraw more than the maximum daily ATM amount.
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