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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Hospital parking charges

Summary

Deputy Farrelly pressed for lower or abolished hospital car parking charges, especially for cancer patients facing treatment costs. The Taoiseach said he would speak to the Health Minister and acknowledged the pressure on patients.

Cancer patients in Kildare not only have to contend with a significant commute to access treatment, but they will also likely face the double cost of paying significant car parking charges. According to the Irish Cancer Society, this puts a substantial and unnecessary strain on a person receiving cancer treatment. The programme for Government committed to exploring further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges. Will the Taoiseach update the House on what this Government has done to move towards a reduction in, and ultimately the eradication of, car parking charges in our hospitals?

Comment on this

I will talk to the Minister for Health in respect of that. We have brought down other charges a lot at acute hospitals but I take the point. We have allocated significant additional resources to the Health Service Executive in respect of a variety of services, including cancer services. It is always about balance and making sure we prioritise the allocation of resources to services, but we also want to try to reduce the pressure on patients and those who have to access hospitals for treatment. I will come back to the Deputy on it.

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