The Health Minister says hospitals must improve the rate of weekend discharges.

504 people are waiting for beds in hospitals around the country this morning.

University Hospital Limerick is the worst affected by overcrowding, with 96 on trolleys.

In this region there are 55 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Galway, 32 at Sligo University Hospital, 24 at Mayo University Hospital and eight people on trolleys at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Minister Stephen Donnelly says facilities need to show "good practice" across the board.