Management at Cork University Hospital have sourced more than 220 additional free parking spaces to facilitate staff working during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Yesterday, the HSE directed hospitals and healthcare facilities to immediately suspend parking charges for staff for the duration of the Covid-19 national public health emergency.

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said: “I have been overwhelmed by the dedication, support, and professionalism of all our staff in helping to contain the Covid-19 outbreak to date.

“As we face in to a very difficult period, it is only right that we make every effort to ensure that staff are supported in their work.”

A spokesperson for Cork University Hospital said in a statement that the hospital does not charge staff for parking.

“An additional 135 free parking spaces have been identified for staff over the past week, with a further 88 spaces identified for staff today,” the spokesperson yesterday said.