Last year, Irish people spent €17 million on hospital car parking charges, new figures have revealed. 

The number represents a 140% increase since 2021, when people spent €10 million to park their car. 

On Lunchtime Live, listener Eimear said parking charges are usually the “last thing” on her mind with a relative in hospital. 

“Especially now with the introduction of you know the cards you're just kind of tapping and then you realise cheaper that's a lot,” she said. 

“It all clocks up and recently someone from my family was in hospital and I would have been over and back maybe twice or three times a day depending on their needs, maybe bringing my mother who doesn't drive. 

“So, you'd kind of be trying to get a few different visits in a day and like it could be €8, €12 per day - it could be even higher.”

Despite this, Eimear said the charges are “very expensive”, especially if you become a regular visitor to a hospital. 

“The last time I had to bring somebody to A&E, I had to queue for maybe 15-20 minutes before I could get into the car park,” she said. 

“There isn't enough space and then when you get in there you're watching the clock because you know that the expenses are clocking up.

“I'm not crying the poor mouth myself, but I know that there are families that this is just extortionate for them.” 

Eimear said hospitals should consider helping setting up public transport alternatives. 

“It has to be looked at it has to be looked at in terms of the capacity of the car parks,” she urged. 

“Just even options - if there was even a park and ride, maybe, it might work.”

Main image: A hospital car park. Picture by: Kumar Sriskandan / Alamy