25 March 2026
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the public have a right to know how much money the Executive has wasted on delaying free hospital car parking.
The Assembly backed legislation in 2022, but its introduction has been delayed twice since Stormont’s return.
The SDLP Opposition successfully brought forward an amendment to the latest legislation last night. It compels the Department of Health to publish a report on the cost of delays.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:
“The situation around free hospital car parking is a complete farce. It was introduced with much fanfare shortly before the 2022 Assembly election, with parties patting themselves on the back, only for it to be delayed as soon as the Assembly returned in 2024.
“The expectations of the public, and most importantly many health staff, were unduly raised by this legislation, only for it to be pulled due to a lack of funding. This continues a pattern of Executive parties making promises to the public without having the resources in place to deliver them.
“There is a real need for transparency on this issue. The public have a right to know how much of their money has been spent on this legislation to date. With every delay, costs increase while delivering minimal benefit to the people this policy was intended to help. This SDLP Opposition amendment will uncover how much has been wasted and once again highlight the Executive’s failure to deliver on their promises.”