Cork University Hospital took €2.2m in parking fees in 2023.
Advocates for free parking at hospitals say patients and their families are paying an "illness tax" just to get their medical treatment.
Almost 16 million euro was pocketed by Irish hospitals in 2023 according to a new report from Irish Country Living which showed CUH taking the most in car park fees
Irish Country Living Editor Ciara Leahy says it adds to the financial burden of patients during one of the most stressful times of their lives:
"Patients pay their taxes, which goes towards the running of our health service, but when we pop coins into the chiropract machine, are we paying a double tax on health and this is something that has been asked by groups such as the Irish Cancer Society, such as the Irish patients Association. "
