266 people received a lifesaving organ transplant in 2015, but there are still over 600 people in need of one.

The HSE has released figures for last year which show 33 people donated a kidney to a family member, while 81 families donated the organs of their loved ones.

Kidney transplant operations are the most common – with around 150 carried out each year.

However 450 people are awaiting a new kidney.

36 lung transplants were carried out in 2015 – one of the highest rates in Europe.

Professor Jim Egan is the HSE’s Director of Organ Donation: “Kidney transplant is the core service.

“Currently there are 450 people awaiting kidney transplantation and approximately 150 kidney transplants occur every year in the Beaumont hospital.”