Parking costs in Tallaght Hospital ‘more than twice what shoppers at the Square’ pay

By Mary Dennehy

THE Irish Cancer Society has this week contacted local councillors in an attempt to secure support for its call on Tallaght Hospital to introduce free parking for cancer patients undergoing treatment – with parking at the local health facility currently costing €10 for a four-hour stay.

In December, the Irish Cancer Society published a report called Park the Charges, which revealed that cancer patients nationwide were facing parking costs of up to €63 a week, on top of the many out-of-pocket payments cancer patients already face.

A call was made to hospitals nationwide to introduce free parking for cancer patients undergoing treatment, or for a designated family member or carer.

However, despite strong public support, no progress has been made by any individual hospitals.

This week, the society called on South Dublin County councillors to support the campaign and push for change at Tallaght Hospital.

In his correspondence, Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy with the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Currently at Tallaght Hospital, a typical four-hour stay during treatment costs cancer patients €10.

“This is more than twice what shoppers at The Square shopping centre, two minutes’ drive away, pay for the same amount of time, and rivals some of the most expensive car parks in Dublin’s city centre.

“We have engaged with the HSE and hospital groups in the past six months to try and ensure progress is made at a national level and have proposed guidelines to the HSE that would, if published, ensure a framework that allowed for greater compassion and transparency in the levying of charges.

“So far, the HSE has not meaningfully acted on this important issue for cancer patients that is raised with our dedicated Nurseline and through our Daffodil Centres on a weekly basis.”

Appealing to councillors, Mr Buggy said: “We are asking for your support in asking local hospitals to introduce free parking for cancer patients undergoing treatment, or for a designated family member or carer.

“You can do this by submitting a motion for the next council meeting calling on Tallaght Hospital to take action . . . and that this council writes to management of Tallaght Hospital to ask that efforts are made to ensure free car-parking for cancer patients or a designated family member or carer during their treatment.”

Tallaght Fianna Fáil councillor Charlie O’Connor told The Echo that he will “express his support” for the campaign, and will represent the concerns of the Irish Cancer Society.

He said: “This is an issue and I have always made the point that parking needs to be affordable in our hospitals.

“I would hope that the management of the various hospitals will look at this and that the HSE will look at this from a funding point of view.”

When contacted by The Echo, a spokeswoman for Tallaght Hospital said that there was no update on parking charges.

She said: “There are two options available to alleviate the financial burden on visitors and patients who must attend the hospital frequently – flexible daily passes for €12.50 which enable drivers to enter and exit multiple times in one day, and a €25 pass, which enables visitors and patients to enter the car park six times within a three-month period.

“To further reduce costs, the hospital encourages the public to arrange drop-off and collection of patients and visitors where possible.

“Tallaght Hospital is also well serviced by Luas and Dublin Bus.”

For further information visit www.cancer.ie/parkthecharges or email advocacy@Irishcancer.ie