Some 4% of cash point machines have been out of order since last summer, well over the norm of 2.5%, broadcaster NOS said on Friday, based on figures from maintenance company Geldmaat.

In addition, some 7.5% of the machines which can be used to deposit cash did not work, more than twice the 3.5% norm agreed on with the Dutch central bank.

The finance ministry has said the lack of readily available cash is “worrying” but that it is unable to impose sanctions on Geldmaat, which manages the ATMs for Rabobank, ABN Amro, and ING.

Geldmaat said the situation had improved in January and that it is remedying the situation by replacing older ATMs with machines that are less prone to faults.

A law is in the making to punish the banks for failing to keep the number of working ATMs up to standard, the ministry said.

However, pensioners lobby group ANBO, which has campaigned to keep cash readily available for people who are unable to manage online banking, said most people have enough access to notes and coins despite failing ATMs.