A visit by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to University Hospital Limerick has been described as a "crisis-driven response" by Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Health.
UHL is the worst affected hospital with overcrowding, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
The hospital has 101 admitted patients waiting for a bed, with 42 of these on trolleys in the emergency department.
Nationally, the INMO says that there are 587 patients waiting for admission to a bed.
The Health Service Executive's official figures put the number of patients at UHL waiting for admission to a bed today at 55.
Of these, it says 20 are on trolleys in the emergency department.
Nationally, the HSE says there are 430 patients waiting for admission to a bed, with 342 of these on emergency department trolleys and 88 on ward trolleys.
Read: Why do the HSE and INMO trolley figures differ?
Extended opening hours at regional units
Minister Donnelly has announced a number of measures to try and alleviate overcrowding at UHL after a visit to the facility.
The opening of the region's three Acute Medical Units at Nenagh, Ennis and St John's are to be extended to a 24/7 on a phased basis.
He also said that a procurement process has been initiated for the operation of the new 50-bed Community Nursing Unit in Nenagh as a step-down sub-acute facility for Limerick for one year, until the first 96-bed block is opened at UHL.
Minister Donnelly said that 16 extra fast build beds will be commissioned at UHL with the capacity to be available in advance of next winter.
Safe staffing is to be extended to all wards at UHL.
'Robust engagement'
INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations Mary Fogarty said any initiative addressing overcrowding and "the very dangerous circumstances" faced by staff and patients in UHL is welcomed.
In a statement, Ms Fogarty said there was "hope that within the next 18 to 24 months that we may see improvements in the system".
She said that "robust engagement" was now required with unions.
"We are asking that the HSE ensure that our members are consulted from the outset in relation to any initiatives to change in relation to operating hours and new initiatives in the hospital to support patients and the staff," she said.
Sinn Féin's David Cullinane said that both Simon Harris and Mr Donnelly between them had eight years to put capacity and a plan in place at UHL.
Speaking at Leinster House, Mr Cullinane said that at least 230 new beds were required at the hospital.
HSE Chief Bernard Gloster said he believes they will be able to staff the additional beds coming on stream between now and next summer at UHL.
Speaking this afternoon, Mr Gloster said despite what people believe the recruitment moratorium has seen a net growth in numbers in the health service.
The highest growth since the moratorium has come in has been in nurse staffing numbers, he said.
"But will we always be able to staff all the beds? That's where changes in skill mix and changes in what different professions now offer us gives us the opportunity and also of course, the use of technology and better ways of working," Mr Gloster said.
"It is a combination of all of those, but I would be very confident that we won't be found wanting when it comes to every effort for recruitment for the capacity," he added.
Regarding recent deaths in the ED, Mr Gloster said the HSE is very conscious that there are several families for whom there is upset and distress about their experiences of health care in the region.
Mr Gloster said "we are exceptionally sorry that that has been their experience".
He added: "We continue to make improvements.
"I think we can be humble enough to learn from the shortcomings that we had."
Additional reporting Tommy Meskill, Jennie O'Sullivan
