Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I am taking it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Harris, who apologises for not being here.

I will set out the background. Over the past decade parking charges have been introduced in many of our hospitals. It is important to note that these parking charges form part of a series of measures to ensure that the operational costs of providing parking services do not impact negatively on a hospital's overall budget. As we are all aware, there is a considerable and increasing demand for parking services at our hospitals. Consequently, the costs associated with providing these parking services are significant. This is especially the case when we take into account the initial capital costs of purchasing or renting parking areas, the cost of developing extra parking spaces, the need to provide and upgrade security systems in hospital car parks as well as the cost of staffing and general maintenance of parking services. I imagine we would all agree that it is important that the cost of providing parking services to visitors, staff and patients does not impact on a hospital's budget for providing health services.

The HSE has advised that it does not have a single contract to provide parking services at all hospitals. Instead, each hospital has a unique arrangement which reflects its specific circumstances. For example, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, the National Maternity Hospital and Mercy University Hospital, Cork, do not provide public car parks. Furthermore, some hospitals, such as St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway, and Mallow General Hospital, do not charge a car parking fee.

I am advised by the HSE that a number of hospitals use parking revenue solely for maintenance and re-investment in parking facilities, including repayment of loans obtained for upgrading such facilities and investment in security. The remainder of hospitals use parking revenue to cover the cost of parking services, with any additional income being used to contribute to the general hospital budget or to fund research or specific patient facilities. I am aware that those hospitals which charge parking fees are cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families. Consequently, hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge, thus capping this expense. While there is no national HSE policy governing car parking charges, the HSE advises me that it keeps hospital parking charges under review. In that regard I would advise Senator Swanick to send any specific recommendations directly to the HSE or the individual hospitals.