Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Dublin, John Lahart TD, has said that he believes hospitals must move to abandon car park fees and clamping operations for the duration of the COVID 19 crisis.
There have been several calls from healthcare workers to suspend clamping and parking costs during the COVID 19 outbreak
Deputy Lahart said: “I am calling on the Minister for Health to make a clear directive on the suspension of fees and clamping on hospital grounds. The Minister needs to engage with the hospital groups and advise them to suspend all fees as soon as possible
“Healthcare workers are working around the clock and under pressurised environments in a bid to combat the on-going health crisis. I heard one nurse on the radio describe how she had stayed to work extra hours in the hospital to come out to her car clamped. This behaviour is totally unnecessary in the current crisis we now find ourselves in and must be stopped immediately.
“Public hospital car parks are currently not at full capacity due to the restrictions, so the doctors, nurses and other health care workers should be allowed to park free of charge and not have to worry about coming out at the end of a shift to find their car clamped.
“Healthcare workers should not be expected to have to take public transport during this crisis. It is difficult for medical staff to maintain social distancing guidelines because of the important work they are carrying each day in treating patients. The least that hospitals can do is offer free parking for them.
“I would urge the Minister for Health to lead the way in calling for the suspension of clamping and fees in hospital carparks across the country,” concluded Deputy Lahart.
