Asylum seekers in Ireland will soon be able to open a bank account for the first time. Bank of Ireland has agreed to accept State-issued documents allowing asylum seeks to open an account from next month.The move follows more than three years of engagement between the bank and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
“The Commission exercised its statutory powers through a formal process, called an Equality Review with the bank, which has prompted this positive step forward,” the Commission said in a statement.
“The decision by Bank of Ireland to accept specific State-issued paperwork, which all asylum seekers and refugees hold, will allow asylum seekers direct access to basic financial services.”
Bank of Ireland will now accept an in-date Temporary Residence Certificate (TRC) in the case of asylum seekers and a Stamp 4 Irish Residence Permit (IRP, previously known as GNIB card) and/or a Refugee Travel Document in the case of a refugee as forms of identification.
Bank accounts are an essential societal service that must be available to all
