Criticism over parking charge increase plan

Callum Lavery 

PARKING charges in the city centre are expected to rise significantly under Dublin City Council’s new parking zone expansion plan.

In November, the city council agreed to an average 10 percent increase to on-street parking in high demand areas of the city.

Areas deemed as being in ‘very high demand’ by the city council such as around the Mater Hospital and other areas along Dorset Street and O’Connell Street are proposed to increase to €3.20 per hour, a nine percent rise from €2.90. 

This means parking charges may rise to almost €10 for three hours in Dublin city centre. This is the first time parking charges have increased in the city since 2008.  

Similarly, areas classified as ‘high demand’ such as Drumcondra, North Strand and East Wall will see an 11 percent increase, bringing parking prices in the area up to €2.70 per hour or €2.60 for ‘Parking Tag’ users. 

However, the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee is now proposing to extend both of the high demand zones to cover more streets and could see price increases of up to 70 percent. The new zone boundaries have been proposed to reflect the change in demand for certain parts of Dublin. The new map will see areas that were previously considered as ‘medium demand’ changed to ‘high demand’. Some have criticised the plan for a lack of forethought in areas such as around hospitals.

Chairperson of the Irish Patients’ Association, Stephen McMahon, said the city council should explain to patients impacted by the new rates and zones where the money gained by the price increase will go.

“These price increases are huge and I think the council should explain what they are going to do with the extra revenue raised from this,” Mr McMahon told Northside People. 

“It seems to be very harsh that they are increasing parking charges close to hospitals.  It seems like a tax on patients and visitors seeing people or going to appointments.” 

Mr McMahon is worried about those impacted by the price hikes around hospitals on the Northside especially. 

“Of course, it will impact and make it more expensive for the people in those catchment areas around the Mater, Beaumont and any other of the large inner Dublin hospitals,” he added. “They are helpless to oppose it so I think it is up to the council to explain what the extra money is for.”

Proposals by the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee are expected to be discussed at the next council meeting before a public consultation period begins. 

In a statement Dublin City Council said it is committed to reviewing their plans laid out in their 2019 Parking Control Bye-Laws proposal.

“Included in the draft Dublin City Council Parking Control Bye-Laws is a proposal for a number of changes in the tariff structure for street parking,” said a spokesperson. 

“It is recommended that the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee refer to the draft Dublin City Council Parking Control Bye-Laws 2019 to the city council monthly meeting in February for approval to initiate a six-weeks’ public consultation process.”