The Minister for Health has said that he is committed to the full roll-out of safe staffing for emergency departments.
Stephen Donnelly told the annual conference of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) that University Hospital Limerick, Galway and Cork continue to face big challenges.
He said that there had been an increase in attendances nationally at emergency departments, but an overall reduction in the number of patients on trolleys.
The minister told the conference that he is committed to investment and reform of emergency departments.
A review into whether a second emergency department is needed in the Mid West region to relieve pressure on University Hospital Limerick was announced yesterday.
Mr Donnelly also said he was working with Government to resolve the staff recruitment pause.
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He said that nearly 10,000 more nurses and midwives had been employed and that there were now over 80,000 nurses on the register, the highest number recorded.
INMO President Karen McGowan has said the recruitment embargo, as a whole, sends a message that safe staffing is no longer a priority.
She told the conference that the embargo is making it impossible for staff to carry out their jobs safely.
The INMO is calling for a clinical review to be established by Mr Donnelly into how this is affecting patient care.
Ms McGowan told delegates that at least 12 nurses and midwives are assaulted in the workplace each day and that underreporting is high.
She said that employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe place of work in overcrowded and understaffed conditions.
Earlier this week, the conference heard that patient safety was being affected by staffing shortfalls, and that significant numbers of nurses have considered leaving their workplaces due to high levels of stress.
A survey of the union's members published at the conference found that 92% believe patient safety is at risk.
