Members of the public in Cork are being asked to donate blood as supplies have reached a seasonal low because large numbers of donors have gone abroad on holidays.
The Munster Regional Transfusion Centre in Cork generally has between seven and 10 days supply in stock but because many donors are on holidays the supply is down to between four and two days in certain blood groups.
If a major incident occurred, the centre at St Finbarr's Hospital in Cork would have enough to cover it. However, the centre would appreciate if new donors came forward over the next few weeks in order to increase supplies.
Members of the public in Cork willing to donate blood should attend clinics at St Finbarr's Hospital from 11am to 2.30pm on Mondays, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm to 8pm and on Fridays from 10am to 12.30pm. Clinics will also be held in Ballincollig, Co Cork, later this month.
Blood banks around the country have similar stories to tell as the summer season traditionally sees a lull in blood donation.
It is a huge challenge for the blood banks to meet the demand for blood at this time of year with schools closed, people on holidays and those still at home more likely to take advantage of the summer evenings.
In Ireland, an ageing population and more medical interventions have led to an increased demand for blood. Some 3,000 blood donations are needed every week in the State.
Anyone giving blood for the first time must be 18-60 years of age. Regular donors can donate up to the age of 65, or 70 with clearance from their GP.
However, there are a number of other criteria that must be fulfilled.
With more people heading off on foreign and exotic holidays, it is important to note that you must wait six months after travelling to a tropical country to give blood and one year after going to a malarial area.
Donors' blood cannot be taken for a defined period if they have been exposed to tropical diseases or the West Nile Virus while abroad.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has 95,000- 100,000 donors on its books and last year received 155,000 donations.
It is estimated each person in the country has a one-in-four chance of requiring a blood transfusion at some point in their lives.
For information on IBTS clinics log on to www.ibts.ie