The total amount spent on debit and credit cards as well as ATM withdrawals dropped by 3% in April when compared to the previous month, new Central Bank figures show.
Total spending reached €7.6 billion during the month, down €229 million when compared with the March spending figures.
When compared to April last year, when public health restrictions limited in-person spending, total spending was up 23% or €1.4 billion.
The figures show that ATM withdrawals continue to remain subdued compared to pre-pandemic levels, and were 18% below February 2020 figures.
Total card spending outside of Ireland increased by 15% or €48 million, when compared to the previous month.
When compared to April 2021 this represents an increase of 212%, or €251 million.
According to the figures, retail spending dropped by 3% or €84 million last month compared to March.
Spending decreased across all retail sectors on a monthly basis, with the exception of clothing, which increased by 9% or €25 million.
Compared to April of last year, when public health restrictions were in place, total retail spending increased by 5% or €150 million.
Spending on services recorded a strong year-on-year increase, rising by 69% or €628 million - predominantly driven by increased spending in the transport and accommodation sectors, which rose by 311% and 560%, respectively.
All services sectors recorded year-on-year increases, except for utilities which saw a decrease of 6% or €17 million.
Total social spending decreased by 2% in April compared to March.
However, when compared to the previous year, the figures show that social spending increased by 83%, or €337 million.
This was driven by an increase in restaurant spending, which rose by 143% or €277 million, while spending on entertainment increased by 39% or €70 million.
Total in-store spending reached €3.6 billion in April, unchanged on the previous month.
This represented an increase of 39% or €1 billion, when compared to the same month last year.
Meanwhile, total online spending dropped by 7% compared to the previous month to €2.9 billion but increased by 10% when compared to April last year.
The latest Central Bank data shows that total card spending in May was largely unchanged compared to April.
When compared to last May, spending was up 21%.
