Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend an initiative (details suppled) to all public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14326/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is a significant demand for car parking at all hospitals. Consequently, the efficient management of parking spaces and traffic flow on hospital campuses is of crucial importance. This is to ensure on-going availability of parking spaces; free flow of traffic on campus; unobstructed access for emergency vehicles at all times; proper use of spaces designated for drivers with disabled permits; and proper use of spaces designated as drop off points near the hospital entrance.

The HSE has advised that income from car parking charges in most statutory hospitals and some voluntary hospitals forms an integral part of the hospitals budgetary policy and is invested back into services provided at the hospitals. Income is also used to fund the upgrade and upkeep of the car parks, including security and management systems.

Arrangements for car parking generally is an operational matter for the HSE. The HSE has also advised that it does not provide guidelines on hospital parking and each hospital/hospital group implements their own guidelines. I understand that some hospitals continue to provide reduced rate parking rates for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship.