The Dail has heard calls to make local injury units 24/7 in a bid to reduce overcrowding.
It comes as figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show that Cork University Hospital is the most overcrowded hospital in the country again today
80 people are without a bed at the facility while 25 people are being treated on trolleys at the Mercy University Hospital and 6 at Bantry General
Speaking in the Dail this morning, Independent TD Michael McNamara, says a major capital investment is needed to reduce trolley numbers.
"There is no sign of progress being made, and people expect to see things getting better - not worse.
"That's the case with health, in terms of the numbers of people on waiting lists and the number of people on trolleys.
"Even this weekend, in the middle of summer, the numbers on trolleys are what you'd expect in the middle of winter, pre-Covid."
