Hotel chains accused of ‘gouging’ families near Dublin hospitals

Large American-owned hotel chains operating close to Dublin hospitals are “gouging and scalping” patients and their families, an MEP has warned.

Midlands North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly said families travelling for treatment are being forced to pay more than €450 a night to stay near Beaumont Hospital and the Santry Clinic, adding that any cut to the hospitality VAT rate must come with strict fair-pricing conditions.

“These are not tourists on holiday,” he said.

“These are patients and carers with no choice but to stay overnight. Asking them to pay such outrageous rates is indefensible.”

He stressed that smaller Irish family-run hotels are not the main offenders, insisting that the Revenue Commissioners could easily distinguish between multinational chains and local operators. “Patients should not be punished to prop up multinational profits,” he said.

Mullooly also pointed to EU action against unfair practices in online booking, arguing that similar scrutiny is now needed for hotel pricing itself.

He warned that Dublin room rates ranging from €350 to €1,000 a night during peak events are not only hurting families but also damaging Ireland’s international tourism reputation.

“Illness is not a festival and cancer care is not a concert ticket,” he said.

“If hotels want VAT cuts, they must first guarantee fair rates for patients, carers and visitors.

“Without those protections, there is no case for subsidy.”