Almost 900,000 people are on some form of hospital waiting list.
Over 5,200 people have been waiting over five years for hospital treatment, according to freedom of information figures, the problem is worst in hospitals in Galway, Dublin and Limerick.
There are a total of around 900,000 people on some form of hospital waiting list.
New figures show 4,929 people have been waiting over five years for their first outpatient consultation.
Some 303 have been waiting that length of time for an inpatient or day-case procedure.
The worst in the country is 793 patients, who have been waiting over five years for care in Galway University Hospital.
The second-worst affected hospital is Tallaght University Hospital, where 766 patients have been waiting over five years.
The University Hospital Limerick, with 734, took third spot.
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