Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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389. To ask the Minister for Health if he will abolish car parking charges at hospitals as such costs can be a substantial burden on persons/patients attending hospitals on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30779/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Hospitals that charge car parking fees are very aware of the financial implications of those costs for patients and their families. Consequently, the majority of hospitals have some form of exemption or concession in place, such as the option of flexible day passes or multi trip entry passes for regular hospital attenders, or concessions based on the type of inpatient.

The Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a maximum daily car parking charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible. It also commits to introducing flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. Accordingly, significant improvements have been made in the majority of our hospitals in line with this commitment, and the HSE continues to keep all fees and concessions under review, in order to progress any opportunities that will ease the burden for those most affected.