Car-parking charges are to rise at Dublin Airport from tomorrow to fund extra facilities in 2006, it was claimed today.
The hourly rate for the short-term car parks beside the terminal buildings will increase by 30 cent to €3.
The daily charge at the long-term car parks will rise by 50 cent to €8.50.
"The higher charges will support a significant investment in refurbishing, automating and extending the Airport's extensive car park network," a Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) spokesperson said.
The daily charge for using the short-term car parks remains unchanged at €30.
The DAA said this was in line with car parking rates in Dublin city centre car parks.
The spokesperson added: "The DAA plans to continue levying benchmarked commercial charges for its car parking services in order to maximise the revenues available to the company."
During 2006, a total of 10 million will be invested to further enhance customer service standards at Dublin Airport's car parks.
"Investment at the short-term car parks will include a refurbishment programme to deliver brighter, cleaner multi-storey blocs with new enhanced safety features; the development of a new coach park and passenger set-down area; and the provision of a new travelator to deliver passengers from the car park atrium to the appropriate levels in the terminal building," she added.
An additional 3,000 spaces at Harristown will bring the overall number of long-term spaces available at peak travel periods to approximately 17,000.
Plans are also afoot for technology-based customer service initiatives during 2006 include online pre-booking and pre-payment options, credit and debit card payment facilities at exit barriers and a licence plate recognition and new CCTV system to provide increased security for cars parked at the airport.