The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) require an additional 2,000 donations over the next five weeks.

The IBTS aims to have enough blood supplies to last seven days across all groups.

They are currently only operating for three days across all blood groups.

IBTS Director of Donor Services and Logistics Paul McKinney said: “The last number of weeks has been very challenging for us.”

“We're averaging between 2,300 and 2,400 donations.”

Blood donor clinic for the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in D'Olier Street in Dublin Ireland. Image shot 2008. (Doreen Kennedy / Alamy Stock Photo)

The IBTS is calling on regular donors such as Nóra Rice, who gave blood for the 65th time at the IBTS Bank on D’Olier Street this morning.

“I found out that I was Group B which I wasn't expecting,” Ms Rice said.

“So that's quite a small group, I think 8% or 9% of people are Group B.

“So, then I felt because it was such a small group that somebody like me could make a difference.”

The IBTS said only 3% of the population give blood.

A quarter of people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives.

To find out if you are eligible for blood donation, you can visit the Give Blood website.