I know the Government is committed to improving the situation regarding car parking charges for hospital patients but last week I was contacted by two distressed people, a husband and wife, who are both seriously ill cancer patients and attend appointments in Dublin and Galway. They were in St. James’s Hospital last week for an appointment and, even though they had a disability pass, were told they would be charged. Cancer patients are under huge financial strain. I do not think this is correct and am sure the Minister will agree that it is shocking. Will he intervene with St. James's management, to whom I have already written, and the company concerned, Park Rite, to check whether such conditions are allowed? I do not believe they are because I know other hospital car parks accept the disability pass.

I am more than happy to chase that up. Many hospitals have arrangements whereby patients coming in for serious treatment get a card to avoid car parking charges entirely. It is different for different hospitals but if the Deputy sends me the details I will look into it.

An important measure brought in for the budget for next year, which was warmly welcomed and advocated for by the Irish Cancer Society, was the abolition of inpatient charges. Many cancer patients face bills. Not only are they dealing with the stress and trauma of their treatment and of living with cancer, but they can end up with a bill for €800 for their time in hospital in a given year. As of next year, that is being completely eradicated. It is one of the things we are doing to reduce costs across the board for patients.