The Government heard today that 5,000 more hospital beds were needed to offset shortages in bed capacity.
The Cabinet met in Dundalk to discuss a ten-year health strategy to target deficiencies in the health service.
The meeting was attended by the Taoiseach Mr Ahern, the Minister for Health Mr Martin and senior health officials. Presentations were given outlining shortages in bed capacity, long-term demands for care of the elderly and requirements of Accident and Emergency departments country-wide.
Government spokeswoman, Ms Gillian Treacy told ireland.comthe Cabinet spent over two hours discussing the presentations, which included a call for 5,000 more hospital beds and predicted vital health service requirements up to and including 2011.
A report of today's proposals is expected next week, but the funding issue has not yet been discussed, she added.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy said no specific decision were made about allocating extra funds to the health service.
Last year an extra £1 billion was allocated to health provision but it is understood that as much as £4 billion extra over the next 10 years is needed to meet community needs.
The growing crisis is thought to have been caused by the cut-backs and closures in the health service in the 1980s.