Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In 2016, the Irish Cancer Society published a report entitled Park the Charges in a bid to have hospital parking charges waived for cancer patients. The Government pledged to act on this but nothing happened. In 2020, the Government committed to putting a cap on these charges but nothing happened. In 2022, the Irish Cancer Society published a report which highlighted the hidden costs of parking for families that use hospital car parks on a frequent basis. Today, 40% of hospitals continue to charge full parking fees to cancer patients and other patients undergoing lifesaving treatment. Some patients require daily treatment, and these parking charges can run to hundreds every month. Patients who are very ill have to cope with physical and emotional trauma. It is unjust to impose an additional financial strain on already vulnerable people. Will the Government do the right thing and scrap these charges?

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