AQW 35635/22-27

Ms Diane Forsythe
Democratic Unionist Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 17/11/2025
Answered On Date: 03/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps his Department has taken to address the issue of hospital free parking, since it was raised in 2024, which prevented legislation being implemented.

Answer:

The Hospital Parking Charges Act (NI) 2022, which prohibits the imposition of charges for parking vehicles in hospital car parks for staff, patients, and visitors, was originally planned to come into operation on the 12 May 2024.

In May 2024 the NI Assembly agreed to the Hospital Parking Charges Act (NI) 2024 which postponed the operational date of the 2022 Act to 12 May 2026.

The deferral period is being used to put in place the required infrastructure to control parking preserve blue light routes and protect designated spaces in the absence of charging. Each Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust is responsible for the operational implementation of the required infrastructure.

The Department of Health established the Hospital Parking Charges Working Group in October 2022, and it continues to oversee the operational implementation of the Act. The working group is made up of representatives from the Department, operational and financial HSC Trust representatives, Trade Unions representatives and is chaired by a Departmental official.

The Department made a capital allocation of £5 million to HSC Trusts to allow preparatory work on upgrading barriers on current car parks to commence and facilitate Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment procurement.

Phase 1 of the implementation programme, installation of ANPR cameras and signage, was completed at the end of September, except for the South West Acute Hospital as it operates under a PFI contract. Phase 2 of the programme, testing, monitoring and reviewing of the ANPR technology has begun and will last for several months. The ANPR system is on track to be operational by May 2026.