Over 678,800 patients are now waiting for hospital care, according to the latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
The figures released this evening are up to the end of September.
While the overall figures represent an increase of about 19,000 on the previous month, some lists have seen reductions.
Of the 678,800 total, over 101,460 were waiting for inpatient or day case treatment, down slightly on the August figure.
19,100 were waiting for a gastrointestinal endoscopy check.
Over 495,300 were waiting to be seen by a consultant at an outpatient clinic, down slightly on the August figures.
A further 62,800 people were scheduled for follow-up care soon having had initial treatment already.
In August, the National Treatment Purchase Fund changed the way the waiting list figures are presented.
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The figures now detail patients who have a date set to be seen, patients waiting for a date, and suspended patients - those who are temporarily unfit or unable to attend due to clinical or personal reasons.
The total number in the suspended list is 10,317.
Included in the suspended list are patients whose treatment is being outsourced to another hospital, possibly a private hospital.
The NTPF also publishes a list of what are called 'planned procedures' - a list of patients who have had an initial episode of care and who are waiting for further treatment.
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he welcomes that there has been a reduction in the total number of patients waiting for both procedures and outpatient appointments.
In a statement, Mr Harris said: "This is evidence that the measures being taken to reduce waiting lists are beginning to work. We are seeing a downward trend and we expect that to continue. This is the second month in a row that we have seen a reduction in the number of patients waiting for Inpatient or Day Case procedures.
Mr Harris said that "good progress" was being made, before noting the long waiting list times faced by patients, saying: "I acknowledge that waiting times are too long and I am keenly aware of the burden that long waiting times for treatment places on patient and their families.
"That is why we now need to do more and that is why funding for the NTPT is to rise in 2018, so that more procedures can be carried out and more people can be treated."
He added that the reduction of waiting times for patients and improving access to health services is one of his key priorities.
Mother waiting over two years for procedure
Serena Guilfoyle from Portlaoise is 34 years old and is the mother of four young children.
She was recently treated for breast cancer and has ongoing problems with her stomach and had part of her bowel removed.
Ms Guilfoyle is awaiting news on a possible diagnosis of coeliac disease.
She is on the waiting list at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore for a stomach biopsy - with an appointment date over two years away.
She told RTÉ News she is terrified of the wait.
The Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore said it cannot comment on individual patient care.
The hospital said it is actively working with the HSE to ensure no patient is waiting more than 18 months and to meet targets set for those waiting less than 15 months.
It said it is committed to ensuring that those with the greatest clinical need are prioritised for treatment.
The Private Hospitals Association has called on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to convene a crisis summit over hospital waiting lists.
The Association said radical solutions are now required to drive down waiting lists and to keep them down for good.
Its Chief Executive, Simon Nugent, said it was like a chronic 'Groundhog Day' for hundreds of thousands of patients and their families who every month are being told that their wait must go on.
