HIQA has published reports on unannounced hygiene inspections at six hospitals.

Two facilities - Portiuncula Hospital in Galway and the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork - were re-inspected after poor initial performances.

HIQA found isolation facilities at Portiuncula were not adequate and need to be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

And it found that the number of patients at one ward in Naas General Hospital was not ideal and should also be reviewed.

The report highlighted issues in a number of theatres at the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital related to the age of the building, which HIQA says need to be addressed.

It also found there was some scope for improvement in hygiene levels at both St Colmcille's and Cappagh Hospitals in Dublin.

The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin and Naas General in Co Kildare were found to be generally clean.

The reports were carried out in March, April and May of this year.