To ask the Minister of Health whether he plans to instigate a review of hospital car parking, with particular regard to ensuring staff and carers of patients are not unduly penalised.

Whilst I accept that the implementation of car parking arrangements continues to involve difficult choices and decisions, if charging were to stop, the revenue raised to meet the cost of the provision and maintenance of car parking would similarly cease, ultimately reducing the amount of money I would have available to fund patient care.

Charging for car parking on some hospital sites where space is limited is also be an effective mechanism to creating churn in the utilisations of spaces, which helps to ensure that spaces are available for patients and visitors.

I therefore have no plans to review my Department’s policy on car parking charges at this time.