There are almost 500 people waiting for hospital beds today, the majority of whom are waiting on trolleys.

The worst overcrowding today is at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore, where there are 43 people waiting.

University Hospital Limerick has 38 and Beaumont in Dublin has 35.

The highest figure this month was recorded on March 8th (554) and the lowest on March 18th (327).

A full breakdown of the figures is available on the website of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.