Patients with Covid-19 in Dublin could be moved to intensive care units outside the capital.
There are concerns Dublin hospitals could reach capacity in ICU.
It comes after the Mater Hospital said its intensive care unit was full and patients had been moved to the high dependency unit instead.
The HSE's director of acute hospitals, Liam Woods, says transferring patients to ICUs in other counties isn't being ruled out;
"Is there a point in time at which one would consider potentially moving patients from Dublin, of course if the situation became particularly challenged, that would be on option."
But he says it's not something that's happening at the moment because it's not necessary.
He went on to say; "The intensive care community work very actively normally across the country and there's a normal movement of patients across the country. Normally that's a movement towards Dublin, actually."
Death Toll
The death toll from Covid-19 in the republic of Ireland has risen to 235, according to the latest figures.
A further 25 people were confirmed to have lost their lives last night, while 365 new cases have been confirmed.
There are now 6,074 diagnosed cases of the virus here.
State Exams
One of the groups left wondering what happens next is secondary school students.
It's thought the state exams may now be held in late summer or autumn because of the coronavirus.
The Irish Times says the government believes it's unlikely the restrictions will be lifted in time for their usual June start date.
An announcement on the issue is due to be made in the coming days.
