Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy MacSharry for raising this issue and for giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, who, incidentally, apologises for not being present as he is still at the Cabinet meeting.

Last week, the Minister requested that the HSE carry out a review of car parking charges at all hospitals with the aim of establishing clear national guidelines in this area for the first time. We all welcome that. While recognising that hospitals are cognisant of the impact of parking charges on patients, particularly those with long-term illnesses, and that revenue from parking charges is, by and large, applied for the provision of services, the Minister is nevertheless concerned to ensure that a national approach is applied. He has asked the HSE, in conducting the review, to take into account the existing parking arrangements at each hospital, the financial impact on patients and families and data on the income generated by these charges.

While the Minister fully recognises the relevance of this issue in the context of the needs of cancer patients, inpatients as well as outpatients, there are many patients who have other long-term illnesses and who also require regular hospital visits. The Minister has asked the HSE, in conducting its review, to engage with the Irish Cancer Society and other patient advocacy groups in order to ensure that the circumstances of all patients, particularly those who require long-term care, are taken into account - Deputy MacSharry also mentioned those with disabilities in this regard. It is appropriate to await the findings of this review in order that any national guidelines will take into account the parking needs of all patients with long-term illnesses, including arrangements for outpatient cancer treatment appointments.

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