People are being called on to donate blood over the Christmas period.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service says it expects supplies to be difficult and is urging people to make a special effort.
It says 30 additional clinics will be running on the Sundays and Fridays before and during Christmas to meet demand.
Paul McKinney from the service says Christmas and New Year can be a very challenging time for supplies.
"Unfortunately some of the days that the holiday periods are falling on are some of our busiest collection days," he said. "In fact we're losing 45 clinics that we'd normally have strong clinics, so that's why we're having to put these extra clinics on the Sundays and the Fridays."
"It's very difficult, people are very busy, but it's really important that they do consider, please make a donation."
