Thousands of public patients are failing to show up at hospital appointments.
Figures published in the Irish Independent show more than 40,000 people were "no shows" at hospital outpatient clinics every month, in the first six months of this year.
Dublin hospitals have the highest number of non-attendance each month.
Stephen McMahon, from the Irish Patients' Association, says missed appointments could be given to other patients on the waiting list:
"Due to the fact that they're working, undertaking vital public services, but being paid inferior rates of pay compared to their colleagues within Section 38 agencies of the HSE. As a result of that, we're seeing a massive exodus of staff from these agencies, which is having a detrimental impact on these services and the waiting lists within those services".
