Hospital Charges

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Questions (1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1021. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any policy guidance, circulars, or directions to the HSE regarding the permitted or intended use of revenue generated from hospital car parking charges; and if so, to outline the expenditure categories to which such revenue may be applied, including maintenance, staffing, capital works, or payments to third-party operators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9345/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1022. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance, reporting, and oversight arrangements in place, by which her Department assures itself that revenue generated from hospital car parking charges is properly accounted for, audited, and used in accordance with public financial procedures; and to outline the specific mechanisms by which such assurance is obtained in respect of Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9346/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1023. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the current status of the Programme for Government commitments relating to hospital car parking charges, including daily caps and flexible or reduced-rate parking arrangements; to specify which commitments have been implemented to date; which remain outstanding; the reasons for any delay; and the expected timeline for delivery of outstanding commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9347/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1024. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken, commissioned, or relied upon any assessment, review, or analysis of the impact of hospital car parking charges on patients and families attending large regional hospitals with extensive catchment areas, including Cork University Hospital; and if so, to provide details of such assessments and their findings; and if not, to state whether any such assessment is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9348/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1025. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the process by which her Department reviews, updates, or revises its standard responses to parliamentary questions on hospital car parking policy; and to state whether any substantive policy or administrative changes have occurred since January 2024 that would warrant updated guidance or revised responses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9349/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024 and 1025 together.

Responses to parliamentary questions on hospital car parking charges are informed by ongoing engagement with the HSE and by any relevant developments in the area.

Revenue generated from hospital car parking charges is used for a range of purposes. This might be maintenance and re-investment in parking facilities, including repayment of loans obtained for upgrading such facilities and investment in security. It may also be simply to cover the cost of parking provision more generally, with any additional income being used to contribute to the general hospital budget for provision of care or research.

This Revenue is accounted for at individual hospital level. All relevant Income is included in the HSE’s Annual Financial Statements. These Statements are audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

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 reduced rate parking for long-term patients 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 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.