Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
799. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if her Department is providing any assistance to cancer patients from Laois who must travel to Dublin hospitals for treatment around parking charges, and her plan to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to explore further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15657/25]
View answerHospitals 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 some form of exemptions or allowances in place such as the option of flexible day passes or multi-trip entry passes for regular hospital attenders, and various concessions based on the type of inpatient. Furthermore, all hospitals that charge for parking have a fixed maximum daily rate.
The National Cancer Control Programme also 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.
