Calls to reduce parking fees at Tallaght Hospital after it took €1.6m from patients and staff in 2024
Parking fees at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) have been branded “shameful”, after it took €1.6m in parking fees from patients and staff last year.
Mick Duff, Independent councillor for the Tallaght-Central area, said “we need to stop people being penalised for being ill”.
The hospital’s multi-storey car park is managed by an independent company, Park Rite.
TUH does not charge anything for the first 20 minutes, but a fee of €2.50 will be added for every hour after that, up to a maximum day rate of €10.
“We need to stop people being penalised for being ill or carrying out their vital work, these exorbitant parking charges need to be scrapped,” Mr Duff said.
“I know a lot of people, particularly elderly people who would rather park up in the square or at the Lidl in Tallaght where they can pay a reasonable parking fee instead of going to the hospital’s multi-storey car park.”
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council’s Tallaght Area Committee, councillor Duff raised a motion calling on the Minister for Health to increase funding to TUH in Budget 2026.
“My motion was to write to the Minister to say put the money in the hospital if it is short of funding in that area,” Mr Duff said.
“Add the €1.6m to the core funding for the hospital and open up the parking and offer it at a reasonable rate, or give it for free.
“It’s not right that people who are unwell and going to a hospital are being forced to add this much in parking fees to their costs – if you run over time, the penalty and clamping fees are absolutely extraordinary.”
The councillor added that most patients did not avail of a day fee as they were uncertain of how much time they needed to spend at the hospital.
“Patients usually have no idea how long they are going to spend at a hospital, especially if they are going to the emergency department,” he said.
“I visit a lot of hospitals and TUH is one of the most expensive. If you look at Connolly Hospital in Dublin 15, you only pay €4 for 4 hours which is a very reasonable rate.”
Other Tallaght councillors agreed with the motion, saying the cost of parking was a major concern for constituents.
A spokesperson from TUH said: “The management of the visitor multi-storey car park is outsourced to management company Park Rite.
“The money is part of the Hospital’s revenue budget, which goes to providing front-line services to our patients.”
Councillors also raised concerns for staff working long hours at the hospital, which only has two staff car parks.
“At the meeting, a suggestion was made that they should do a swap over,” Mr Duff said.
“The multi-storey car park should be used for staff and hospital vehicles. The two staff car parks should be made open to the public at minimal costs or for free.”
Park Rite has been contacted for comment.