Punt exchange services to continue, Central Bank says

Regulator says service remains in place as Bank of England plans to withdraw £20 and £50 sterling notes

While people can exchange punts for euro in person at the Central Bank in Dublin or by post, the regulator does not exchange sterling or other currencies. Photograph: Alan Betson
While people can exchange punts for euro in person at the Central Bank in Dublin or by post, the regulator does not exchange sterling or other currencies. Photograph: Alan Betson

The Central Bank has confirmed that it continues to exchange old punts currency for euro amid confusion ahead of the Bank of England’s plan to withdraw some sterling banknotes later this month.

The Dublin-based regulator has no plans to halt the service, which allows people to swap old Irish pound notes or coins for euro, it said in a statement.

The service has been in place since the arrival of the single currency two decades ago. While people can make those exchanges in person at the Central Bank in Dublin or by post, the regulator does not exchange sterling or other currencies.

Now, with the Bank of England planning to withdraw old £20 and £50 notes from the market at the end of this month, the Central Bank here has “had a number of visitors to North Wall Quay asking about exchanging the sterling banknotes that are to be withdrawn on September 30th,” director of currency Bernard Sheridan said.

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It is urging people with old sterling to check the Bank of England’s website for details on how to exchange those notes.

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Peter Flanagan

Peter Flanagan

Peter Flanagan is an Assistant Business Editor at The Irish Times