The Emergency Department Task Force is meeting to review the level of overcrowding around the country.
Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation put the level of overcrowding today at 577.
The Health Service Executive figure is lower at 396.
According to the INMO, the worst affected hospitals University Hospital Limerick with 75 patients waiting, Letterkenny University Hospital with 49, Cork University Hospital with 42 and University Hospital Galway with 40 patients waiting.
Last week, the HSE published its €26 million Winter Plan, which concentrates on extra nursing home places, home care packages, and aids and appliances.
The plan did not provide for extra acute beds or more acute frontline staff.
Latest figures show there are around 80 acute hospital beds closed around the country for several reasons.
The main reason is infection control (41), followed by refurbishment/maintenance (13) and staff shortages (25).
At University Hospital Kerry, 16 beds are closed due to infection control, according to the figures up to 10 November.
Influenza activity in Ireland remains low and is not currently contributing to overcrowding.
Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients' Association said that based on the first 36 days of the winter season, he is praying for a mild winter and a mild flu season.
He said that while he was awaiting more explanation on the HSE Winter Plan at today's task force meeting, it does not make provision for additional beds, despite pressure in some hospitals with bed closures due to infection control.
