The Minister for Health has said the Health Service Executive's winter plan contains a number of innovative measures.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Simon Harris said it will seek to reduce the number of people presenting at emergency departments around the Christmas period.
It comes as figures obtained by RTÉ News show that 147 hospital beds around the country are closed.
The beds have been closed for a variety of reasons including infection control, refurbishment, staff shortages and cost containment.
The winter plan was discussed today by the Emergency Department Taskforce and €30 million has been allocated to help cope with the busy winter weeks.
Mr Harris said 'winter ready' clinics will be provided, where patients can go in advance of Christmas for a check-up, to receive the flu vaccine and to get advice on how to manage certain conditions over the festive period.
He said the HSE would announce details of these clinics next week.
Mr Harris said they are also looking at extending the opening hours of primary care centres and minor injury clinics.
"We are trying to ensure older people don't end up in emergency departments in the first place," he said.
"No one wants to see a vulnerable person in a busy ED early in the new year", he added.
On the topic of capacity in the health service, Mr Harris said he and Government colleagues are working "day and night" to get these issues right.
He said that while localised issues, such as infection control, can result in beds being closed in some hospitals overall the number of beds available is increased.
