John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Health if any reviews have taken place regarding the issue of parking charges at hospitals; if he intends taking any actions to curtail parking charges at hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12004/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Hospitals that charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses. Consequently, many hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge and reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship.

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, makes a commitment to introduce a maximum daily car parking charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible, and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. This is a reflection of the Government’s appreciation of the financial challenge that can be faced by people in meeting these expenses, in particular where they are frequent users of hospital services.

The HSE conducted a review of hospital car parking charges and submitted their report to my Department in December 2018. My Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.