The figures have been revealed by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Almost 100 people are without a bed at local hospitals this morning.

Sligo University Hospital is the second most over crowded hospital in the country today, with 45 people waiting in the Emergency Department.

It comes as the HSE asks people to avoid attending Emergency Departments unless necessary.

Patients are being asked to consider consulting a pharmacist, a GP or attending a minor injury unit before going to an Emergency Department.

Several emergency departments in the region saw their trolley numbers double.

Nationally, 607 people are waiting at hospitals across the country.