Free hospital parking: Robin Swann asks for delay of up to two years

The car park at the Royal Victoria Hospital is often very busy

Plans to end hospital car parking charges in Northern Ireland from May could be delayed for another two years.

The health minister is asking the assembly to support his proposal to delay legislation making parking in health care settings free from 12 May.

Robin Swann said it was due to "practical obstacles" with the scheduled date, as well as "deepening budgetary pressures".

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it would be a "blow" to the public.

However she added that the executive had no choice but to support the proposal.

Hospital car parking charges generate about £10m each year.

The Health Department also expressed concern that a free parking system could be abused by the public, who would use it for personal use.

Start date 'unfeasible'

In a statement, Mr Swann said he remained "entirely supportive" of plans to change how the car parks are operated, but "logistical issues" made the planned start date unfeasible.

"HSC [health and social care] trusts have advised that the infrastructure required to manage free parking cannot be in place in time," he added.

"This is due to legal challenges delaying a contract for automatic number plate recognition technology.

"As a result, the intended traffic management solution will not be operational by 12 May."

Robin Swann will ask the assembly to back the proposed delay

Mr Swann said trusts also had "significant concerns" about maintaining safe access for patients, clients, visitors and staff.

"Preserving blue light routes would be a particular concern," he added.

'Not good enough'

Ms O'Neill said the Department of Health had "failed in terms of being able to bring the infrastructure in place that would allow this to go forward".

"That's why Robin Swann would have to go to the assembly and ask for that support," she said.

"He's previously brought it to the executive in the last number of weeks. We've had no choice other than to accept the reason that he puts forward but we also equally regard that it's not good enough."

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The ban on parking charges was brought forward as private members' bill - Hospital Parking Charges Bill (2022) - by Sinn Féin assembly member Aisling Reilly.

It proposed that car parking charges should be abolished for patients, staff and visitors at public hospital sites in Northern Ireland.

It received cross-party support and was approved by the assembly in March 2022.

The bill was also supported by some trade unions, but the health trusts made clear that its implementation would be challenging.

The Department of Health also pointed to concerns that increased demand as a result of free parking provision would add further to the pressure for spaces.