More than half a million people are waiting for their first hospital outpatient appointment, according to latest public hospital waiting list data published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
The figures show 556,411 patients were waiting for a first hospital outpatient consultation at the end of May.
That's up from 551,965 at the end of April.
Elsewhere, there's been a slight decrease on the inpatient waiting list.
According to the NTPF, 68,765 patients were waiting for an inpatient or day case treatment - down from over 70,000 in April.
22,113 patients were waiting to receive an appointment for a GI endoscopy.
The NTPF has classified 12,985 patients as 'suspended', meaning patients who are temporarily unfit or unable to attend an appointment due to clinical, personal or social reasons.
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on health, Stephen Donnelly, said the figures show another record high for the outpatient waiting list.
He observed: “The words ‘scandal’ or ‘disgrace’ can be overused in politics, but I think they are the only words we can use in this situation.
"We have to keep in mind too that when these people finally see a consultant they may also have to wait a long time for any necessary treatment."
Deputy Donnelly added: “The Minister for Health said he hoped to stabilise outpatient waiting lists during 2019. He didn’t say what this meant but I doubt that anyone could define it as an increase of almost 8% in five months."
