People turning up at the Emergency Department of South Tipp General Hospital under the influence of alcohol or drugs are said to be adding to the existing difficulties there.
The comments from Deputy Seamus Healy come as the number of people awaiting treatment on trolleys at hospitals across the country has passed the 600 mark for the first time.
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation there are 12 people waiting for a bed at South Tipp General today.
Nationally the problem is worst in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where 45 people are awaiting treatment while University Hospital Limerick and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin each have 41 cases.
Deputy Seamus Healy says while people presenting with drink and drugs is not the main cause of overcrowding it is still an issue which needs to be tackled.
