The required time for the implementation of Sláintecare reforms may be less than the 10-year horizon previously envisaged, according to the Minister for Health Simon Harris.

No extra acute hospital beds are being opened as part of the HSE's €26m winter plan to deal with hospital overcrowding.

Preparation of a winter plan for dealing with hospital overcrowding was placed in difficulty amid uncertainty over how much funding would be available, according to internal HSE documents.

"Viruses are very predominant at winter time. They cause colds, they cause flu and they cause winter vomiting."

The HSE's €30m winter plan will only provide “a temporary relief” for some patients, the Irish Medical Organisation claims.

An additional 550 home care packages will be funded under the Winter Plan to help combat the hospital overcrowding that normally occurs around Christmas and the New Year.