Hospital overcrowding continues to put pressure on patients and healthcare staff across the Republic of Ireland, as preparations continue for the 2026–2027 flu vaccination programme.
University Hospital Limerick which serves North Co. Tipperary.
The HSE’s 8:00am report today (17th September 2026) recorded 382 admitted patients without a suitable ward bed: 267 in emergency departments and 115 in wards. Of these, 67 had waited more than 24 hours, including four patients aged 75 or older.
University Hospital Limerick, which serves North Co. Tipperary, once again remains the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland; while Tipperary University Hospital Clonmel, serving South Co Tipperary is the fifth most overcrowded hospital in the country today.
The same report recorded 597 delayed transfers of care as of midnight; patients ready to leave hospital but awaiting care arrangements or home supports. These delays reduce the beds available for other patients. The trolley figures according to the HSE daily report, exclude people still waiting to be seen or triaged in emergency departments.
Earlier in the week, on September 14th the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) reported 628 patients on trolleys, chairs or other inappropriate bed spaces. It described overcrowding as exceptionally high for the time of year and warned that recruitment and retention shortfalls were undermining staff’s ability to provide safe care.
Meanwhile, the HSE says it expects to receive its full flu vaccine supply for the 2026–2027 national programme, with the main public campaign planned to launch on 8th October. Deliveries are arriving in phases, and healthcare professionals can begin vaccinating as stock becomes available, prioritising those most at risk.
The Irish Pharmacy Union says pharmacies are prioritising eligible patients for whom stock is available under the HSE programme. However, it reports that supplies for private flu vaccinations, for people outside the eligible groups, remain unconfirmed. AstraZeneca, which supplies the children’s nasal spray vaccine, has reported no supply issue in Ireland.
Free flu vaccination is available to people aged 60 and older, pregnant women, healthcare workers, people with specified underlying conditions, eligible carers and other qualifying groups. Children aged two to 17 can receive the nasal flu vaccine free of charge.
People seeking vaccination should check availability with their GP or pharmacist as supplies reach local services.
Approximately 5,600 people will become Irish citizens at the Convention Centre Dublin over two days, marking a significant milestone for individuals and families from across the island.
Six ceremonies on Thursday and Friday will welcome applicants from more than 138 countries, who now live in nearly every county on the island of Ireland.
Judge Mr Paddy McMahon will preside over the ceremonies, administering the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. Participants will pledge to uphold the State’s laws and respect its democratic values.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will attend on Friday. Minister of State with responsibility for Migration Colm Brophy and Minister of State Frank Feighan will also attend ceremonies across the two days.
Ahead of the celebrations, Minister O’Callaghan described citizenship as a significant milestone that reflects both a connection to Ireland and a commitment to the country’s future. He recognised the contributions the new citizens have already made and welcomed their role as full and equal participants in Irish democracy.
Minister Brophy highlighted the sense of belonging and community at the heart of the ceremonies. He praised the experiences, talents and perspectives of those who have chosen to build their lives in Ireland, describing citizenship as the start of a new chapter.
Minister Feighan also welcomed the new citizens, acknowledging their contribution to critical projects and public services across the country.
For those taking part, the ceremonies mark both a personal achievement and a lasting connection to the country they now call home.
Tipperary County Council has approved the rezoning of 161 hectares, (approximately 397 acres), for housing at its September plenary meeting.
The changes to the county development plan took immediate effect following the vote. Public consultation had attracted more than 100 submissions.
Councillors who welcomed the changes: Mr John Crosse (Fine Gael): Highlighted the urgent need for housing across Tipperary and the opportunity for landowners and developers to deliver more homes. Mr Jim Ryan (Independent, Thurles): Welcomed the restoration of residential zoning to lands in Thurles and thanked the planning team for listening to local councillors. However he felt an opportunity had been missed for the village of Littleton.
Councillors who raised concerns during the earlier June discussions: Ms Phyll Bugler (Fine Gael, Ballina): Said she had not been given enough time to raise issues during the process. Mr Seamie Morris(Former Sinn Fein and now Independent, Nenagh): Questioned the inclusion of certain lands in Nenagh, saying they should not have been considered for housing.
This agreed rezoning now makes additional land immediately available for potential housing development, although no construction timetable or confirmed number of homes has been publicly made known.
Please find herewith attached Tipperary County Council’s response to my EPA Complaint (Re: COM021813), which highlighted the ongoing 13 year old neglect of the River Suir in Thurles town centre, by the responsible body, namely Tipperary County Council.
The attached response, penned by Robert O’Brien (Executive Scientist, Environment & Climate Action), outlines the measures being implemented by Tipperary County Council in relation to the serious matters raised with the EPA.
Re: River Suir, Thurles EPA Complaint COM021813 15-09-2026 Dear Mr. Willoughby I have been tasked by the EPA to contact you to respond to the complaint received by them No:COM021813 Alleged Pollution of River Suir and how Tipperary County Council are to respond. I want to acknowledge your longstanding interest in water quality issues within the Thurles area and the information you have provided regarding observations along the River Suir including photographs and descriptions of conditions observed at various locations. Tipperary County Council appreciates the importance of the River Suir as a valuable environmental and community resource and recognises the concerns raised regarding water quality, litter and the overallcondition of the watercourse. The Council takes all reports of potential water pollution seriously and recognises the importance of protecting and improving the water quality of the River Suir and its catchment. Currently, Tipperary County Council implements a range of water quality protection measures around the Suir catchment which includes, farm inspections, discharge monitoring and licencing, septic tank inspections, Water Framework Directive monitoring, and investigation of environmental complaints. Through these activities, the Council has consistently taken its water quality responsibilities seriously. In recognition of the challenges affecting water quality within the catchment, Tipperary County Council has commenced the preparation and implementation of an Upper River Suir Catchment Management Plan. The purpose of this initiative is to develop and implement a coordinated strategy to protect, improve and restore water quality and aquatic ecosystems throughout the Upper River Suir Catchment, including the Thurles area.
The preparation of the plan is being led by Tipperary County Council and involves collaboration between:
Thurles Municipal District;
The River Basin Management Service(formerly LAWPRO);
The Environment and Climate Action Section;
Other relevant stakeholders and agencies as necessary.
A Steering Group has been established to guide the development of the plan and to identify and address the range of pressures that may be impacting water quality in the catchment. It is considered that a catchment-based approach provides the most effective framework for identifying causes of water quality pressures, coordinating actions between relevant agencies and implementing long- term measures to deliver environmental improvements. The concerns and observations raised in your correspondence will be taken into consideration as part of Tipperary County Council’s ongoing work within the catchment. We remain committed to improving water quality outcomes and to working with relevant stakeholders to protect and enhance the River Suir. Thank you for taking the time to report your concerns. Yours sincerely Signed Robert O’Brien Executive Scientist.
Please see my immediate reply, today, to Mr Robert O’Brien.
Dear Mr. O’Brien, Thank you for your response, dated today September 15th 2026, regarding EPA Complaint Ref: COM021813.
A check by myself this morning, (September 15th 11:30am), exactly one month following my EPA complaint, shows that absolutely no effort has been undertaken to remove even one solitary piece of this litter by either Thurles Municipal District Council, or by Refresh Thurles, latter who possibly receive funding for such projects.
Neither has there been the installation of even one litter bin being provided in the affected areas.
While I welcome the proposed Upper River Suir Catchment Management Plan and acknowledge the importance of coordinated work to improve water quality, I must express my deep disappointment at the Council’s failure to address the immediate, visible problems raised in my complaint.
Over the past month, I have observed no action to remove the litter, bottles, discarded clothing, supermarket trolleys and other rubbish from the locations concerned. These items remain in and along the River Suir despite the concerns and photographic evidence already supplied.
Your response outlines the Council’s general activities and plans, but provides no account of any inspection of the reported locations, no commitment to remove the rubbish, and no timetable for doing so. A steering group and a catchment management plan may support longer-term improvements, but they do not resolve the immediate problem of waste remaining in the river over the past two years.
I respectfully condemn this continued lack of visible action. The Council’s stated commitment to protecting the River Suir must be demonstrated through practical measures. Residents who take the time to document and report these conditions deserve a response that addresses the specific problems they have identified.
Please provide:
Details of any inspections undertaken in response to my complaint, including dates and findings.
A clear timetable for the safe removal and appropriate disposal of the reported rubbish, including the supermarket trolleys.
The name of the section or officer responsible for coordinating this work.
An explanation of any barriers delaying removal and the steps being taken to resolve them.
Details of measures to prevent further dumping and monitor the affected locations
If removal requires coordination with another body, appropriate permissions or environmental precautions, please identify these requirements and explain how the Council will progress them.
I request a substantive written response within 10 working days, setting out specific actions and target dates. I also ask that this correspondence be included in the record of EPA Complaint COM021813 and that the EPA be informed that the reported litter remains unresolved.
My purpose is to secure a cleaner, better-protected River Suir. I remain willing to assist by identifying the affected locations, but the information already supplied should now be followed by prompt and accountable action.
Yours sincerely, George Willoughby.
As is always the case, no reply is anticipated in further communications from Tipperary Co. Council.
Thurles is to receive €150,000 towards plans for an age-friendly community fitness hub, as part of new regeneration funding for North Tipperary.
The available Thurles funding report does not specify the proposed Thurles age-friendly community fitness hub’s exact location or identify who submitted the funding application. {Some unconfirmed reports suggest it refers to the existing open air fitness hub already in the town park.}
Liberty Square, Thurles.
A further €130,000 has been allocated to Nenagh to progress plans to extend St John’s Lane car park and provide pedestrian access onto Sarsfield Street. We understand, Tipperary County Council has already acquired the lands needed for this Nenagh project. The funding will support the next stages of design and development.
The combined €280,000 allocation for Thurles and Nenagh forms part of nearly €13.5 million announced for Tipperary under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.
Clonmel will receive €13.1 million for two town centre regeneration projects, while Tipperary County Council is to provide €3.25 million in matched funding for the county’s projects.
Nationally, the fund will support 120 projects across every local authority area, with total investment of €409 million.
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