Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin has said it is experiencing a very high number of attendances at its emergency department and has activated its Full Capacity Protocol.
The protocol includes a range of measures including placing extra patients in other areas of the hospital, including wards.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said that 53 patients are waiting for admission to a bed at Tallaght.
The hospital said it is committed to treating everyone who presents to the emergency department but does so strictly in order of medical priority.
It said that given the volume of patients attending the department, it regretted there are lengthy delays and long wait times for those who do not need urgent treatment.
Overall, there are 643 patients waiting for admission to a hospital bed today, according to the INMO figures.
University Hospital Limerick is worst affected with 78 people waiting.
Other hospitals with a large number of patients waiting are Cork University Hospital, at 62, and University Hospital Galway, with 48 patients waiting.
