HSE figures show Cork's hospital car parks collected almost €2.8m in 2023  

More than €2.8m was spent in Cork hospital car parks in 2023, the majority of this at Cork University Hospital (CUH), new figures have shown.

Documents provided by HSE South West to The Echo show that €2.2m was spent in CUH car park in 2023.

The hospital said there is “a national target” for car parking costs, and that “all money goes back into the main CUH account”.

The car park is run by the hospital, but CUH has a maintenance contract with Skidata Ireland, which cost €45,935 in 2023, at a quarterly rate of €11,483.75.

The hospital said it provides free parking for staff, but that there is “limited availability” and highlighted the free offsite park-and-ride system in operation.

A further €245,704.55 was spent on parking in Cork University Maternity Hospital, on the same site as CUH.

The figures have prompted calls for improved public transport services to the hospital.

All of this money goes back into the main CUMH account. The car park is maintained by CUH, so shares maintenance costs with CUMH.

South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital made €355,949 on car parking, and all money goes back into the main SIVUH account.

Demand

The car park is managed by SIVUH, but no details of maintenance costs were provided. There was no free parking for staff at the hospital.

Neither Mallow General Hospital nor Bantry General Hospital have charges to use their car parks, leaving them free for patients, visitors, and staff.

Labour Party councillor for Cork City South West, Laura Harmon, told The Echo: “The public should know where exactly the €2.8m is being spent.

“There is a need for more public parking solutions for CUH staff and patients, and more public parking in the Bishopstown area in general.

“The free park and ride system should be expanded.

“The demand for parking in the area is very high. I live near CUH and I know many people are parking in estates and outside shopping centres if they can’t get parking in CUH when they are going for appointments or to work, and this is causing a huge amount of stress for people.

“Ultimately, we need more reliable and frequent public transport servicing CUH, and we need to see action on a Cork light rail.

“For a modern city, Cork has been left behind by the Government in terms of public transport.”

Enormous

Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said: “The numbers from the CUH for car parking are enormous, huge money, which is coming from patients and their loved ones.

“It is particularly stark when you consider there is no charge in Mallow or Bantry.

“This is a huge burden on patients, especially those regularly in attendance. This particularly impacts people with cancer and other conditions that require frequent hospital attendance.

“The last government was committed under the programme for government to capping hospital parking charges, but they did not act.

“This is an important part of reducing the cost of healthcare, and it shouldn’t take years to do this. There has been a review and an implementation plan from the HSE, and I am calling on the Government to get on with it.”