Dozens of children wait for beds in Irish emergency departments today (May 9) - INMO

Dozens of children are waiting for beds at Irish hospitals today (May 9). 

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's (INMO) latest Trolley Watch report, 24 admitted patients under the age of 16 are waiting in emergency departments at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and Temple Street Children's University Hospital. 

Almost 650 admitted patients in total are waiting to be accommodated nationwide, with 516 patients in emergency departments and 127 in wards. 

It marks a 53% increase on the same day last year when 419 people were waiting for beds. 

University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded hospital today with 78 people waiting for beds, followed closely by Cork University Hospital (62) and Tallaght University Hospital (53). 

Just four hospitals are free from overcrowding, including Beaumont Hospital, Connolly Hospital, National Children's Hospital Tallaght, and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.