The Health Service Executive (HSE) got more than €5m in car parking charges at its public hospitals last year.
According to Freedom of Information (FOI) files, the average was €244,000 per hospital.
Some €5.1m was taken in by the HSE in car parking charges in its public hospitals in 2021, which is almost identical to the previous year.
The money relates to 21 statutory hospital car parks.
By far the highest was the €1.25m in Cork University Hospital.
That is followed by €657,000 in Galway University Hospital, and €468,000 at Waterford Regional Hospital.
Beaumont Hospital consultant, Bill Tormey says these charges should be reduced a lot.
"To abolish them entirely would result in people freeloading on hospital car parks in good sites in the Dublin area, and in Cork and Galway.
"So I think there should be some charge - but the charge should be moderate, and it seasonal.
"And it be should be attached to patients, specifically individual patients.
"I think the way it is at the moment is basically a rip off".
Aontú put forward a bill in the Dáil last month that would see the charges end for many people attending outpatient services.
