The end is nigh for 1 and 2 cent coins.

Five EU member states have already opted to get rid of the coins, which cost more to mint than they are worth.

The Irish Independent reports that the Government is now ready to roll out a scheme nationally after a trial in Wexford in 2013 was deemed a massive success.

During the “rounding” scheme, retailers rounded prices to the nearest five cent at the cash register, removing the need for smaller change.