There are 466 patients waiting for a bed in hospital emergency departments and wards around the country, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The figures are up from the 395 patients recorded on Friday, although below the record number of 612 last Tuesday (January 3rd).

Today's 'trolley & ward watch' figures show University Hospital Limerick and South Tipperary General Hospital each have 33 people waiting on a bed.

Tallaght Hospital has 19 people on trolleys - two days after it cancelled non-urgent elective surgeries due to overcrowding.

The crisis last week prompted the HSE to announce several measures to alleviate the problem, including opening additional beds.

Health Minister Simon Harris will meet with the HSE again tomorrow for an update on the overcrowding crisis.

Minister Harris is also due to visit a number of hospitals in the coming days as he monitors the situation.