The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is deeply shocked by the current overcrowding crisis at the nation’s hospitals.
Mr Varadkar who was speaking in the Dáil earlier this afternoon said he was completely mystified by the crisis, saying there is more healthcare officials than ever before.
According to RTÉ News the Taoiseach made his comments after the Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin slammed the Government’s handling of the situation that has seen hundreds left on trolleys across the country.
Mr Howlin also told the Taoiseach that the situation needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
However Mr Varadkar told the Dáil floor that he can’t understand why the crisis has become unmanageable given that there are more nursing staff and consultants available now than in previous years.
The Taoiseach added that he fully accepts the issue and that he agrees with the cabinets recommendation that an additional 2,500 beds will be needed across the country by 2031.
Mr Varadkar’s comments come after recent figures published by the INMO revealed that there are currently 541 patients waiting on trolleys across the country.