Plans submitted to Westmeath County Council seek the construction of a new 54 bed extension to the hospital at Ballinderry.

It's a 15 per cent increase on 2021.

The INMO have highlighted the growing number of assaults on healthcare staff in the last year.

A Government spokesperson said the strategy pre-dated this date, and was pursued by successive Governments.

The matter was raised in the Dail this week.

General manager with RHS Homecare, Patrick Towey, says carers worked on the frontline during the COVID pandemic and the continuing delays have affected staff morale.

Brendan Barry says a review of the service is currently underway.

360 people are waiting on trolleys in emergency departments this morning.