Figures seen by Newstalk Lunchtime show a dramatic drop in the number of priests serving in Catholic dioceses in Ireland.

The number of priests in active ministry 20 years ago - in 1995 - was 3,550.

There are now just 2,019 in active ministry - which represents a drop of 43%.

Just over 67% of that number are over the age of 55 - while it is believed the majority of those are actually even older.

It is believed the church could be facing a crisis unless more younger men join.

Fr Bill Bermingham is a parish priest in Cork.

He told Newstalk's Jonathan Healy it is the age profile, and not the falling numbers, that is the biggest concern.

While Dr Brian Conway, of the Department of Sociology in Maynooth University, says the figures are not at crisis point.