Nurses Threaten Walkout Over Parking Crisis at New €2.4B Children’s Hospital

UPDATE: Urgent concerns are rising as nursing leaders warn that inadequate parking facilities at the €2.4 billion National Children’s Hospital could trigger a mass resignation of staff. With its scheduled opening in July 2026 now under threat, nursing representatives demand immediate action to address the critical parking shortage.

The new facility, set to be the most expensive health project in the country, has already faced numerous budget overruns and delays. It has missed deadlines a staggering 16 times since 2020, and now the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is sounding the alarm that the lack of parking could push vital nursing staff to leave their positions.

Currently, there are only 320 parking spaces allocated for an estimated 5,142 employees across the existing children’s hospitals in Crumlin, Temple Street, and Tallaght. INMO Industrial Relations Officer Derek Reilly stated, “Nurses have not received clear communication about parking arrangements, raising fears they could be left without options when the hospital opens.”

Reilly emphasized the safety concerns for nursing staff, many of whom commute long distances due to inadequate public transport. “Nurses often work shifts that start or end at unsocial hours,” he added. “This uncertainty shows a disregard for the safety of a predominantly female workforce.”

Moreover, the hospital’s board is also grappling with €880 million in claims from the construction firm BAM, further complicating the situation. “Exhausted nurses are already facing long drives home after shifts, which has tragically led to serious incidents in the past,” Reilly noted.

Concerns extend beyond just parking. Many nurses rely on on-site accommodations due to the demanding nature of their work, and the upcoming transition to the new facility threatens to eliminate this vital resource. An INMO source revealed, “A significant number of nurses travel from all corners of the country for their shifts and will leave if these arrangements are not clarified.”

The lack of transparency regarding parking and overnight facilities is causing rising tensions among staff. One concerned nurse stated, “Workers are being tested beyond reason. How will we manage in winter, waiting for a bus in the dark after a long drive?”

In a call for action, Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane urged Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to clarify the provisions for nursing staff at the new hospital. “This uncertainty must be resolved quickly,” he stressed. “Nurses will not work where there is not affordable and safe access.”

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) stated, “These important issues that affect our staff are still in discussion and development.”

As the July 2026 deadline looms, the pressure mounts for CHI to provide a viable solution that ensures the safety and retention of its nursing staff. The implications of this parking crisis extend far beyond the hospital walls, impacting the quality of care for thousands of children who rely on these dedicated professionals.

Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.