Paramedics are being delayed getting to emergencies because they are being forced to wait to hand over patients at emergency departments.

Ambulances are waiting an over an hour at least 1,100 times a month – due to overcrowding in EDs.

According to the Irish Times just four out of 26 hospitals have met HSE targets of turning around 50% of ambulances in under 20 minutes.

Mayo General, University Hospital Galway and Cork University Hospital faired the worst in the new figures.