Mater Dei Hospital’s cooking and cleaning bill was €3.4 million more than projected in 2013, while the car park is costing the taxpayer €1 million every year, according to the Auditor General.

The review of the State hospital’s finances found that cleaning and catering services were 18 per cent more than budgeted for.

The cost shot up after private contractors had to be roped in to make up for the number of cleaners who had been transferred and had retired. It says that 45,000 cleaning hours were billed by the contractor in 2013.

Professional contracts – mainly care work and security services – were also 15 per cent over budget (€99,000).

The car park cost the coffers in excess of €4.6 million over the past four years, despite being leased out to a private operator.

One of the main factors for the soaring cost was the contentious parking fees. The fees were slashed back in December 2007 following complaints from users, who said they could barely afford to visit their loved ones in hospital. The prices were nearly halved from €6.50 for four hours to some €4.

Furthermore, it transpires that the hospital forks out for the car park’s electricity bill despite the fact that it is run by a third party. The Auditor General raised concerns that not enough profit was being generated from advertising spots throughout the parking complex.

The €1 million snnual car park deficit excludes the purchase of new car park equipment and maintenance.

The subterranean car park at the hospital is not the only one in operation.

A number of car parks are also being run across the hospital grounds that were not included in the contract signed with the operator.

These include a car park for hospital staff and another one for holders of disabled parking badges.

Meanwhile, part of the parking complex stopped generating profit when it was handed over to staff after pressure from a union.