With the shortage of personal protective equipment and medical scrubs during the Covid-19 emergency, private businesses and voluntary groups are stepping up to provide what they can for frontline workers.
Among those sewing scrubs is the Irish Countrywomen's Association, which has mobilised hundreds of its members to make scrubs for care workers and those working in nursing homes.
The project is part of an initiative called Sew Scrubs for Ireland, led by costume designer Sinéad Lawlor.
Josephine Helly is the president of the ICA, and at 75 she is busy at home sewing scrubs and co-coordinating the ICA members involved.
She said that the organisation has up to 9,000 members throughout the country. Material has been sent to members in some of the federations who are now busy sewing scrubs, and they hope to sew up to 800 sets.
Many of the members of the ICA like herself are cocooning and they have the time and the expertise to make the scrubs.
"This is a national emergency, and the ICA want to do their bit in response to that emergency," she said.
Maura Walsh is a member based in Cappamore, Co Limerick. She said that it is a source of pride for her to be able to do something during the crisis.
The scrubs are to be provided to healthcare workers in nursing homes in the various counties where the sewers live.
The ICA has raised €4,000 to fund the material. The organisation says that if more funding is available, it is willing and able to make additional scrubs.
