Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil léi as teacht isteach chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt.

I want to raise the issue of hospital car parking charges for cancer patients across the hospital network. A cancer diagnosis is a traumatic and life-changing event. Among many things it can incur, it can perhaps mean someone has to give up their work, resulting in a lack of income for the individual and their family. To add to the hurt, they then have to fork out serious prices for hospital parking charges when they are getting treatment for their cancer.

I acknowledge some hospitals have, off their own bat, allowed free or subsidised parking for some of these patients in question. The Irish Cancer Society, however, has called for the HSE, Health Service Executive, and the Minister to take a lead on this and issue guidelines to all hospitals to ensure clarity on this particular issue across the hospital network. For example, when someone gets their first letter about their cancer treatment, it should identify where the free car parking spots in the hospital are located.

This Irish Cancer Society has had a campaign on this particular issue for some time, seeking a meeting with the Minister on it. Unfortunately, that meeting has not been forthcoming. Will the Minister of State take this issue on board and give us a commitment that this issue will be examined? As a first step along that road, will she make commitment this morning to meet with the Irish Cancer Society so that a programme can be put in place to ensure our citizens who are going through the traumatic and life-changing experience of dealing with cancer do not have to worry about car parking charges, which in some cases can go up to €800 a month?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, apologises for his absence. I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this issue.

When an individual is given a diagnosis of cancer, they, along with their family, are going through a traumatic experience. It is incumbent on us to make that treatment as easy as possible. As the Senator said, it is important to recognise some hospitals have given a waiver for or put a cap on car parking charges. I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to update the House on the matter. In 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 that ensure that the operational costs of providing parking services do not impact negatively on a hospital's overall budget.

As demand for parking services at our hospitals increases, so do the associated costs of providing these services, such as the initial capital cost 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, and staffing and general maintenance of parking services.

I am advised by the HSE and the Minister that the HSE does not provide guidelines on hospital car parking and that each hospital or hospital group implements its own guidelines. For example and as the Senator is aware, Temple Street Children's University Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital and Mercy University Hospital in Cork do not provide public car parks. Some hospitals, such as St. Luke's in Rathgar, Merlin Park University Hospital in Galway and Mallow General Hospital, do not charge a car parking fee.

The HSE has advised 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.

Hospitals that charge parking fees are cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly those with long-term illnesses. Consequently, some hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge, thus capping this expense. Some hospitals provide reduced car parking fees for patients with cancer who are attending for long-term treatment. However, there are many conditions that can require long-term care and it is difficult to prioritise one over another. It is important to consider the clinical circumstances of all patients who require long-term care rather than those with one particular condition.

While there is no national HSE policy governing car park charges, the HSE has advised me that it keeps hospital parking charges under review. In terms of the future development of our hospital system, we must take account of public transport services. By supporting the expansion of public transport facilities, we continue to provide more transportation choices to the public when visiting their loved ones in our hospitals. This is one of the key reasons for the choosing of the site of the new children's hospital, in that it has access to various types of public transport and routes.

I cannot make a commitment on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, to meet the organisation, but I can take that request to him and ask him to reply to the organisation directly.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. She mentioned the good work that was being done by the Irish Cancer Society on this and many other issues. It has engaged with the public on this particular matter to a great extent.

Guidance from the HSE is required. With respect, it is not good enough to leave the decision to individual hospitals. It is incumbent on the HSE to give policy and direction to its hospital network in this regard. I plead for a meeting to be facilitated with the Irish Cancer Society. That is the least it deserves on behalf of the people whom it represents.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has given an assurance that she will speak to the line Minister about the issue. Hopefully, there will be a positive outcome.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Could the Minister of State keep me advised on that, please?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Absolutely.