The shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis is devastating news for patients and their families. It is a time of deep worry and stress. The last thing that patients should have to worry about on top of this is struggling to afford the cost of attending their treatment. In its pre-budget submission, the Irish Cancer Society revealed yesterday that patients are still forced to fork out huge sums in hospital car parking fees. Many are being hit with charges of €3.20 an hour or more.

One patient shared her story in the media yesterday of having to travel from Laois to Cork for treatment for lung cancer. This can cost her up to €150 a month in car parking charges, on top of the cost of making the long journey. This hidden cost is very wrong. It is hitting the pockets of patients already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis at a time in their lives when they are likely to be on reduced hours in work and, therefore, on reduced pay. Does the Tánaiste agree that this situation is totally unfair? Will the Government act to ensure that cancer patients are protected from these costs?

A diagnosis of cancer is a very difficult one for a person and for that person's family to receive. Every effort should be made to make the journey of care as stress-free as possible. The Government has significantly reduced healthcare costs in terms of hospital inpatient charges, extending GP card coverage and things like that. In terms of car parking charges, that is something we will engage with the HSE on. We have, though, progressively reduced medical costs, including the DPS and so on, significantly over the past two to three years in terms of the cost-of-living supports we have provided. We are also endeavouring to reduce the costs of public services. I will follow up with the HSE on this matter.