Monaghan County Council has called on the Department of Health to end the practice of pursuing cancer patients with private debt collection agencies.
The motion, which was tabled by Paudge Connolly, also calls upon the Department to review exemptions to inpatient charges.
Inpatient charges of €80 per visit for chemo and radiotherapy and high parking fees have been highlighted
Extortionate parking fees have also been highlighted as expensive costs for cancer patients, who may already be hit by loss of income.
Where these charges are not paid within 47 days, the patient may be pursued by a debt collection agency under HSE policy.
Meanwhile, Aontú leader Peadar Tobin and Independent TD Cathal Berry are putting forward a bill in the Dail that would allow three hours of free parking for visits.
Deputy Toíbin says it's badly needed:
