The People Before Profit group picketed outside Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin last night over the closure of wards due to cuts.
Up to two wards in the hospital are to close because of a funding shortfall of €9.6m.
The organisers of the picket claimed that the cuts would result in 7,000 fewer beds for inpatients.
Hospital management said the reduction in bed days would not be that high.
A hospital spokesperson said that St Joseph's ward is to close in 10 days time and another ward may also close later in the summer.
The wards are being closed to meet budget targets and whether or not the wards will re-open will depend on funding next year.
Seven new state-of-the-art operating theatres were opened at the hospital in June 2004 and it is understood two of those theatres will closed to surgical procedures this summer.
