Almost 540 people are on trolleys at hospitals across the country again today, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

University Hospital Galway is the second-most overcrowded in the country with 49 patients waiting for admission to a bed.

There are 23 patients waiting for a bed at Sligo University Hospital, 16 at Portiuncla in Ballinasloe and 8 at Mayo University Hospital.

The INMO says there are a total of 536 people waiting for admission to a hospital bed across the country today, despite a pledge in the Government's winter initiative plan to have no more than 236 patients on trolleys any morning.

Meanwhile, the HSE has announced its 14 billion euro service plan for 2017.

Minister Simon Harris says the 40 million euro provided for the winter initiative in 2016 will continue in 2017 to implement measures to address overcrowding in our Emergency Departments.