Irish remain wedded to their cash

Irish consumers carry the highest amount of cash in Europe per capita, according to research by Visa.

Irish consumers carry the highest amount of cash in Europe per capita, according to research by Visa.

Nearly €78.2 million in notes and coins is circulating in the country’s pockets every day.

The country also remained the highest user of ATMs during 2011 with €4,618 withdrawn per adult; almost twice the EU average of €2,600 and 12 times higher than Denmark, the EU’s lowest user of ATM withdrawals.

The amount withdrawn from ATMs is down from the 2010 average of €4,982. The Irish Payment Services Organisation suggested the fall was due to the increased use of debit cards.

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Cardholder expenditure in Ireland rose to €13 billion in January 2011; an increase of 48 per cent on 2010.