Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1634. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements, if any, that will be in place to offer significantly reduced or free car parking in the National Children’s Hospital for families bringing children to hospital for frequent or prolonged stays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1931/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Access to the children's hospital at the St James's campus is well served by public transport, however the plans and design for the hospital recognise the need of families to access the hospital by car.

The plans for the hospital provide for 1,000 car parking spaces, of which 675 will be dedicated for use by families, three times the number of spaces currently available at the three Dublin children's hospitals combined. The car park will be located in the basement of the new children’s hospital. 

I am cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses. 

The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, makes a commitment to introducing a maximum daily car parking charge for patients and visitors at all hospitals, where possible, and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families.

This commitment is informing the procurement process for the car park operator at the New Children’s Hospital.