The Irish Cancer Society has called for free or subsidised parking at hospitals for cancer patients around the country, including those in the South East.
The society contacted Carlow and Kilkenny county councillors asking them to bring forward a notice of motion requesting that St Lukes hospital would introduce such a measure.
Paul Gordon is the Policy Officer for the Irish Cancer Society.
He spoke to Beat news about the issue.
"At hospitals across the country, we see high costs for cancer patients, which despite a large campaign by us in December no hospitals have changed their parking policy since then."
"Obviously there are a number of hospitals that do operate a very positive policy. We see in the south east region the likes of Wexford, where there's free parking for chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients."
He went on to say that the HSE need to take action on the issue.
"Up to now, we've tried to engage with the HSE, and we hope that they do take our proposals, which would ensure a fair and transparent process of levying a parking charge."
"We would like to see those accepted but to date, we feel that the HSE hasn't stepped up and patients have had to dig into their pockets to pay for parking at a very difficult time."
