Parking issues persist at University Hospital Waterford - but not a 'priority'
Parking at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) remains an issue as local politicians criticise the HSE's management of the situation, and the HSE announces a national review into hospital car parks.
UHW is one of many hospitals across the country under fire for increased parking revenue, with figures obtained through a Parliamentary Question by Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane showing that the income from car parking at UHW increased by 158% in the last four years.
This is an increase of some €742,000, from €468,874 in 2021 to €1.21 million in 2025.
Nationally, hospital car parking increased from €7.39 million to €17.76 million over the same period, an increase of more than €10 million or 140%.
As the HSE does not have a single national system in place for hospital car parking, individual hospitals operate local arrangements, with some involving private operators.
“My view is simple. Hospitals should be properly funded by Government and should not have to depend on income collected from sick people and their families," Deputy Cullinane said.
A national plan is needed to phase out hospital parking charges, the Deputy reiterated, starting with those who have to attend most often, including cancer patients, dialysis patients, parents of sick children, people with disabilities, carers and families dealing with long hospital stays.
“Hospital parking charges are a charge on illness," he said, "Patients should be focused on getting better, not on feeding a parking meter.”
In a statement to the Waterford News & Star, the HSE said UHW has had no increases in its car parking charges over the four-year span between 2021 and 2025, and that the 158% increase in parking revenue from the hospital over that time is a result of increased activity at the hospital.
The income generated from these car parking fees, the HSE confirmed, covers the cost of providing car parking services; including the initial capital cost of purchasing or renting parking areas, the cost of developing extra parking spaces, the need to upgrade security systems and provide staff and general maintenance to the car parks.
The hospital and its management are "very aware" of the financial implications of these parking costs on patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term or chronic illnesses, a spokesperson told this newspaper.
As a result of this, the hospital operates a maximum fixed daily parking charge and reduced rate/concession for those patients.
With these figures in mind, the HSE has ordered a national review group to examine hospital car parking charges, why they have increased, and a nationally coordinated approach to fees.
Local councilors have critised the car parking system at the hospital, with Waterford City East Councillor Mary Roche calling it "absolutely chronic" in the September meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan council.
The lack of parking facilities at the hospital, Cllr Roche said, has led to cars being parked in housing estates and in front of businesses in the area.
"Nothing seems to be done," she added, "I appreciate the hospital are saying that the property section have it under review, but that's not actually good enough. There needs to be some plans or some actions at this stage, because for their own customers and clients it's really unacceptable."
Local Independent Councillor Joe Kelly also commented on the increased parking at University Hospital Waterford in last week's metropolitan council meeting, stating he has written to the hospital on a number of occasions on the possibility of a multi-storey car park facility.
"We just can't ignore that this overflow of cars is taking up business spaces, neighbourhood spaces, all over the place around critical infrastructure like our hospital and our university.
"Waiting for those particular groups (UHW and SETU) to make a decision," he continued, "is really not cutting it anymore," adding that he thinks the council ought to have a more proactive approach and push both institutions to come to a solution sooner.
In response to Cllr Kelly's multi-storey car parking suggestion for the hospital and university respectively, Gabriel Hynes, Director of Services for Waterford City and County Council said both the university and the hospital have been approached by the council on this issue and a mutli-storey carpark "appears not to be a priority" for either organisation.
