Cost of hospital parking in Ireland described as ‘staggering’ and ‘deeply concerning’

A new report shows how much money has been raised through car park charges at Irish hospitals in the past five years.

The comments come after a report in The Irish Independent, which states that car park charges at Irish hospitals have raised €73 million over the past five years.

According to the paper, a record €17 million was earned in 2025 alone, a figure which is €10 million higher than what was reported in 2021.

The Irish Independent also states that most hospitals currently charge a maximum daily rate of €10, with South Dublin's St Vincent's University Hospital's fees for daily parking reaching as high as €17.

In a statement to JOE responding to the report, Sinn Féin's spokesperson for health, David Cullinane, said hospital parking charges are "increasing the cost of being sick" and called the new figures "deeply concerning".

“This is money coming from patients, families, visitors and staff, often at the most stressful and difficult times in their lives," the TD added.

“For people attending hospital regularly, including cancer patients, people with long-term conditions, and families visiting loved ones, these charges are not a small issue. They are another cost attached to accessing healthcare.

“We should be reducing the cost of healthcare, not adding to it."

Cullinane also said that Sinn Féin has called for hospital parking charges to be phased out.

"This should be done in a planned way, working with the HSE and each hospital to manage practical issues and ensure car parks are used for patients, staff and visitors, not general parking," the TD stated.

“There may be site-specific challenges, but they can be managed. They cannot be used as an excuse for inaction."

He also said: “Patients and families should not be treated as a revenue stream when accessing public healthcare.

“Government must now bring forward a clear national plan to phase out hospital parking charges and reduce the cost of healthcare for patients and families.”

TD David Cullinane / Image via Rolling News

Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly also called the new figures "staggering" and "in complete contrast with what the government has committed to".

"The government has said it wants to reduce or cap charges in hospitals – yet we are seeing increases nearly across the board. These figures are very concerning," he added.

"I have written to the Minister for Health this morning, asking for her to initiate a review of the arrangements between hospitals and parking companies, and also to consider having one single contract across all sites.

"I believe this would work to improve efficiencies and also the cost put on patients, their visitors and staff."

Farrelly said that those experiencing cancer care services should not have to pay for car parking in any HSE-run medical facility.

"We need to see an alignment between what the HSE is doing and what the government is saying," the TD said.

"If you are someone who is required to attend hospital regularly, the price associated with these visits mount up very quickly.

"A cap should be considered in the short term, but I want to see a pathway towards a complete eradication of car parking charges."

Steve Dempsey, Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Irish Cancer Society, also noted to JOE that, for many people with cancer, driving to and from their appointments isn’t optional, particularly where they are immunocompromised and cannot rely on other ways of getting there.

"All too often, the Irish Cancer Society hears from people who explain the impact associated with car parking costs at hospitals," he explained.

“The added burden of hospital parking charges heightens stress for cancer patients at an already financially vulnerable time, with so many other expenses including petrol, toll costs and potentially overnight accommodation.

“The Government committed to exploring ways to reduce hospital car parking charges for all patients in its Programme for Government. This commitment is particularly vital for the people we interact with, who are dealing with the additional costs and impacts on their earning power that come with a cancer diagnosis."

Responding to the report, the National HSE Press Office told JOE that hospitals introduced car parking charges over the past decade or so to cover "such services' costs without impacting the hospitals’ budget for patient services".

"As demand for car parking at hospitals increases, so too does the associated cost of providing these services, such as the initial capital cost of purchasing or renting parking areas, the cost of developing extra parking spaces, the need to provide and upgrade security systems, [and] provide staffing and general maintenance of the car parks," its statement added.

"The HSE does not have a single contract to provide parking services at all hospitals; instead, each hospital has its own arrangements, which reflect their particular circumstances.

"Some hospitals may use a third-party provider to manage their car parks, although the car parks may still be owned by the hospital, and some hospitals may have a third party to service parking meters, entry and exit barriers and security."

In a statement to JOE, the Department of Health said in response to the figures: "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.

"The HSE has advised that all 36 hospitals that charge for parking have a maximum fixed daily charge.

"The maximum fixed daily rate for parking for patients and their families is €10 or less in all but four of these hospitals. Parking is free at a further nine hospitals.

"The majority of hospitals also have some form of exemptions/concessions in place, such as the option of flexible day pass/multi trip entry.

"In line with the Programme for Government 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."

JOE has reached out to St Vincent's University Hospital for a statement.