Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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774. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing dedicated parking spaces at major hospitals in the State for vehicles transporting cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27602/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am cognisant of the frustration and financial implications of parking at hospitals for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses.

A Disabled Person's Parking Card, also known as an EU Parking Permit, can be obtained by individuals whose mobility is severely restricted due to a medical condition, including cancer. Hospitals provide disabled parking spaces. These dedicated spaces are designated and located near the hospital's main entrances or other key locations for ease of access.

The National Cancer Control Programme funds the Travel2Care Scheme, which is administered by the Irish Cancer Society and offers financial supports towards travelling for cancer treatment. The Travel2Care Scheme is a limited transportation assistance fund. It is available to patients travelling long distances to designated cancer centres, approved centres, or an approved children’s hospital and covers part of the associated costs, including parking charges, for said travel.

The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, makes a commitment to explore ways to further reduce hospital car parking charges. 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. Accordingly, my Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.