Government agencies need to provide cash options

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke asked that Leitrim County Council write to the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, asking him to inform all state agencies to maintain systems which accommodate cash transactions between them and citizens.

He stated at the January Council meeting, "Surely the Government has learned something from the closure of the rural post offices and Garda stations, and they can’t contribute further to the isolation of elderly people who are the ones most likely to lose out with the creeping agenda to cease cash transactions. 
"Already, we are hearing of elderly people who have been taken advantage of by persons purporting to assist them with online transactions."

He noted that the NCT attempted to move to cashless payments in August, announcing the decision on its social media channels, however the move was quickly shot down by Minister of State for the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers who said the service would not be changing. 
"Since then, there have been a few other agencies who indicated their preference for card payments, etc," he said.

Cllr O'Rourke continued that in his view, such agencies need "to be reminded that they have an obligation to provide a system that still allows cash transactions" as he said that he knew of a number of instances where people had "lost a good deal of money" through entrusting others to make payments with their credit cards. 

He said it was vital to try and prevent the situation now rather than trying to fix it later and asked that the motion be circulated to other councils. 

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion and said "we are supposed to be living in a democracy and not a dictatorship" and said it was "outrageous" for a government agency to take away the option for people to pay by cash. 

She said she was told recently that a person went into a coffee shop in Dublin and couldn't pay for their coffee because the shop didn't accept cash. 

She said she knew of an elderly man who was used to getting his cash over the counter and was told that he would have to get it from the machine. 
Cllr Bohan remarked, "The man had a severe shake in his hand and was hardly able to use the machine so someone had to come and assist him with using the machine."

Cllr Sean McGowan also supported the motion and said it was "unfair on the older people" and private agencies also need to make sure that they provide the option for people to pay in cash if they wish. 

Cllr Paddy Farrell said that he believed the GAA also needed to "allow people to use cash at the turnstiles" with Cllr Des Guckian too supporting the motion.