Sligo Regional Refuses to Disclose Car Parking Profits
In a survey of the profits made in car parking fees by hospitals in Ireland, it has been disclosed that six of the countrys main hospitals rake in over €1m from the contentious charges. However, Sligo Regional Hospital has refused to co-operate with the survey citing business-sensitive information, because it was putting its parking contract out to tender again.
Letterkenny General Hospital also failed to supply figures on how much it earned from parking, saying all profits from the past two years had been reinvested in the service.
The HSE confirmed that it is still awaiting a response from from Mayo General Hospital.
Our Ladys Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin also refused to disclose information on their car park income and costs. The hospital has also been involved in the salary top-ups scandal after revelations that its chief executive, Lorcan Birthistle, is paid a €30,000 top-up from the proceeds of its shop and on-site commercial activity.
Sligo Regional Hospital has refused to co-operate with the survey citing business-sensitive information, because it was putting its parking contract out to tender again.
According to the Irish Independent the biggest earner in the country from car park charges is Cork University Hospital, which took in almost €3m in 2012. It made a profit of €572,000 once costs were taken into account.
St James Hospital in Dublin took in almost €1.8m in car park charges and was left a profit of €1.3m after costs.
Salary Top-Ups
St Vincents University Hospital, which has been at the centre of the executive salary top-ups controversy, took in €1.78m, while Tallaght Hospital earned €1.5m.
However, Tallaght insisted that all the money went towards the cost of the service, while St Vincents said that it was only left with €58,000 after costs had been accounted for. It said this would go towards car park repair works as well as higher future loan repayments for the car park.
Other hospitals with large income streams from their car parks include Waterford Regional Hospital (€1.4m) and Galway University Hospital (€1m).
The fees, which have been dubbed a tax on the sick, have become an important revenue stream for hospitals. Seven hospitals -- including Mallow, Bantry, Nenagh, Ennis and Roscommon -- do not charge for car parking.
The Coombe maternity hospital in Dublin, which earns just €187,000 from car parking, gives a free one-day pass to fathers of newborn children.
The figures were obtained from the HSE by Fine Gael Limerick county TD Patrick ODonovan, who submitted a parliamentary question about how much it was costing hospitals to provide their car parking.
I have no problems with hospitals charging for parking. But I certainly think there should be a standard parking charge. Parking charges are higher in Dublin, so the cost could be regionalised, he said.
Each of the 39 hospitals with parking facilities is free to set its own charges.
I have no problems with hospitals charging for parking. But I certainly think there should be a standard parking charge. Parking charges are higher in Dublin, so the cost could be regionalised. Patrick O Donovan - TD