We are all proudly wearing our daffodils today to remind everybody that it is Daffodil Day tomorrow, Friday, 20 March. One in every two of us will experience cancer and it will take €6 million to be raised tomorrow to help the Irish cancer services with their vital work. They did bring something very worrying to my attention, namely, the cost of car parking for those who are going through chemotherapy or attending oncology units in hospitals across the country. In my own closest hospital in Louth, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, the hourly rate is €2 and the daily rate €10. It is concessionary. They can decide to waive the car parking fees for anybody attending the oncology unit. In the main, however, right across the country, anybody going through a very difficult time in their life could end up paying in excess of €50 per week for car parking. If they have a child attending an oncology unit, it is even lengthier and can cost even more. I am calling on the Minister for Health to attend the House so we can have a debate on how we can either reduce or waive the costs for those who are attending oncology units. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital raised €500,000 in revenue in the last reports in 2023. Many hospitals could well afford to prevent people who are going through an incredibly difficult time in their life from having this extra burden on top of their expenses.

Speaking of that hospital in particular, there are no car parking spaces generally left on campus for anybody attending for any reason at the hospital. There is a large car park right across the road. It is very far away, however, and is inconvenient in certain weather or for anybody who is elderly or vulnerable. There used to be a shuttle bus but that was dispensed with over the last couple of years. The hospital must either reduce the cost, provide a shuttle bus or provide more parking spaces on campus. I am calling for a waiver for those attending oncology units and I hope we have a debate in this House with the Minister for Health.