Hospital overcrowding is increasing, with figures today showing there are 562 patients on trolleys or on wards, waiting for admission to a bed.
The hospital worst affected is Cork University Hospital, with 54 patients waiting.
Other hospitals badly affected are: University Hospital Limerick, with 49 patients waiting; and St Luke's in Kilkenny, with 47 patients waiting.
The figures are collected by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
The highest recorded daily figure was 612 patients on 3 January 2017.
