Medical staff are urging those with symptoms to stay at home, with hand washing one key factor in stopping the spread.

The €34 million project will not add extra beds to the hospital, but it will replace outdated facilities with single-bed rooms.

Nationally, University Hospital Limerick has the highest amount of people on trolleys today with 115.

Two wards at the Ballinasloe Hospital have been affected by the norovirus outbreak.

Sligo University Hospital and the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar are among the busiest facilities in the country.

Patients who spoke with inspectors were positive about their experience.

The rooms will include 8 single en-suite rooms, and are set to double the existing single bedroom spaces in the hospital.

Sligo Univeristy Hospital is the worst affected with 50 people waiting for a hospital bed whilst Portiuncla Hospital in Ballinasloe has 29 people waiting in it's ED.