FAQs / Questions Parents May Have

Who can stay?
Any family who has to travel a journey of 2 hours or more to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, and whose child is hospitalised or undergoing treatment as an outpatient for 5 days or more.

Do you have an age limit?
No, as long as they are a patient in the Hospital.

Can I make a reservation?
As we do not know when families will leave we do not take formal bookings you need to ring in advance with your date of admission. Then your name will go on the waiting list and we will do our best to accommodate you. If a room becomes available on that date you will be notified. Please get in touch a few days before admission, and we can advise you about availability.

What is the charge?
The cost for the family en-suite room is:

• €20 per night for the first 7 nights.
• €10 per night thereafter.

What happens when I get to the House for the first time?
Upon arrival, a staff member will show you the House and explain the simple rules and regulations including fire procedures, entry and exit procedures and kitchen rules.

What facilities are provided in the House?
All families have their own bedroom with a private ensuite, TV and telephone. The remaining communal facilities in the House include:

• Car parking
• Laundry
• Dining area
• Lounge/Library
• Toddlers room
• Kitchen
• Outdoor Toddlers Play area
• Garden

What do I need to bring to the House?
Families should bring food, clothing, toiletries and anything else you would take on a trip away. Linen and towels are provided.

How long can families stay at a Ronald McDonald House in Dublin?
There is no time limit on length of stay – a family can stay as long as their child is in treatment.

What happens if we need to go home for a short break (e.g. for a weekend), can we keep the room?
Yes. You can vacate the room for a maximum of four nights, however you will be charged for this period.

Are meals provided in the House?
No, meals are not provided. The house has a large communal kitchen where your family can cook meals and eat together. Each family is allocated their own private cupboard and fridge/freezer units unit. From time to time, volunteers come and cook for the families.

What special policies are there?
As Ronald McDonald Houses are ‘homes away from homes’ for families with children in hospital, it is vital that everyone staying in the House or visiting is free of any communicable disease.

All guests are required to indicate any exposure to chicken pox or any other infectious diseases on the guest registration form.

In situations where the child on the ward has an infectious disease, e.g. meningococcal meningitis, then a doctor’s clearance must be obtained to confirm that the family members have been treated and cannot pass the disease on to anyone in the House.

If a family member staying in the House becomes ill with a communicable illness such as the ‘flu, they may need to seek alternative accommodation for them until such time as they are deemed well enough to return to the House.

This policy also applies to staff and volunteers.

Is the House owned and operated by McDonald’s?
The Ronald McDonald House is owned and managed by RMHC Ireland, an independent registered charity – CHY no. 12553.

All McDonald’s stores make an annual contribution to the administrative costs of RMHC Ireland. This contribution allows the charity to use all money raised to help children and their families around the country. McDonald’s customers and suppliers are very generous supporters of RHMC. Families who have stayed in The Houses are also long term and generous supporters.

What is happening with the new children’s hospital on the Mater site?
RMHC are currently in talks with the New Paediatric Hospital Board with a view to the provision of a Ronald McDonald House on site.

I would like to volunteer?
Volunteers are always welcome. Read further information about volunteering on this page

How much does it cost to run the RHMC?

It costs €300,000 to run and operate the two houses. The majority of the monies for this is raised by RMCH fundraising initiatives; and is supported by the generous donations of McDonald’s Restaurants, Operators, Suppliers and Customers. G4 Security kindly manages the collection and counting of the coins collected from the Spinners and Collection Boxes free of charge.

Is there only one house?
There are two houses, the larger one is on the grounds of the Crumlin hospital and the other one is across the road at 45 St. Mary’s Drive – read more information about the houses

Who owns and manages the Ronald McDonald Houses?

The two houses are owned and managed by RMHC Ireland, an independent registered charity (CHY no. 12553) which was set up in 1997. RHMC Ireland is the Irish chapter of the global Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).