Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
389. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if she will give consideration to providing additional specific funding to hospitals to allow for the abolition of parking charges for cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72781/25]
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. As a result, many hospitals have introduced reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship, and all hospitals that charge for parking have a fixed maximum daily rate. The majority of hospitals have some form of exemption 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.
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 further ways to 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, in line with this commitment, 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.
