The Health Information & Quality Authority has published the terms of reference for a review of the urgent and emergency care in the midwest region.
It follows a number of controversies over care at University Hospital Limerick and the scale of overcrowding there.
Earlier this month, inpatient, day surgery, outpatient appointments and some other scheduled services at University Hospital Limerick and hospitals across the Mid West were suspended due to overcrowding.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it would take weeks to secure a full return of services in the region.
The HIQA review will also examine the case for a second emergency department within the region.
The report for the Minister for Health is due to be published by next summer.
