The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) says it collected 129,589 blood donations in 2018 - down by 977 on 2017.

It says the "slight drop" is attributed to the impact of weather-related events on collections.

IBTS chief executive Andy Kelly explains: "The Blood Transfusion Service, like all public bodies was challenged early on in 2018 with dealing with the effects of Storm Emma and the Beast from the East.

"The organisation managed very well and it tested our contingency arrangements and how risk was managed.

"The staff response was excellent and ensured that hospitals and patients received blood and blood products when required.

"When we asked donors to donate post the storms to replenish the blood supply they responded magnificently and ensured that we could maintain the blood supply", he adds.

In 2017, an issue was raised over the use of O negative blood.

However, the IBTS has began a national dialogue on this and is exploring ways in which the IBTS can collaborate on ensuring that O negative blood is used optimally.

"This is an issue that is causing concern for blood services worldwide and workable solutions need to be found to ensure that blood services do not call on O negative donors unnecessarily," Mr Kelly says.

'3,000 donations every week'

While the IBTS is taking part in surveillance of possible new microbiological threats to the blood supply. along with international agencies - such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control as well as the weekly reports from the Irish Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPRC).

The IBTS with the other European Blood Services participate in a monthly teleconference with the infectious diseases monitoring group.

A new chairperson was also appointed to the board of the IBTS in 2018, to replace outgoing chairperson Professor Anthony Staines.

Linda Hickey was appointed chairperson in October.

She says: "The IBTS is a unique organisation. While we can control how we process and distribute blood products we do not control the supply and are entirely dependent on the community spirit of people all around the country to attend at our centres and mobile clinics.

"They turn up in their numbers, day-in and day-out, because they know that the need for blood is a constant through the year, and we are hugely grateful for their generosity."

Health Minister Simon Harris has welcomed the annual report.

He says: "Every year about 1% of the population needs a blood transfusion and one in four of us will require blood at some point in our lives.

"The Irish Blood Transfusion Service needs 3,000 blood donations every week to meet demand.

"The report shows an increase in the number of people donating and an increase in the number of people donating for the first time in comparison to last year.

"But it also highlights we need to improve too. We see small numbers in the 18-24 age category donating and we need to see what we can to improve that.

"Patients in hospitals all around the country are helped in their recovery by the ready availability of blood on a weekly basis.

"I would urge all blood donors, and those who would like to be blood donors, to visit their nearest clinic and to give blood".