Some 266 people received life-saving organ transplants in Ireland last year.
The procedures involved 81 families agreeing to donate organs of deceased relatives and 33 people donating a kidney to a family member.
The figures were contained in the HSE Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland annual report for 2015.
Overall, the number of organ transplants in Ireland last year was the third highest on record. The report said this “was assisted by the introduction of the national organ procurement service” which has already seen an increase of 35 per cent in donation.
Kidney transplants increased to 120, while liver transplants were up to 61 from 44 in 2014. A record was set for lung transplants with 36 taking place, one of the highest rates in Europe.
The first combined heart-lung transplant took place in Ireland last year, at Dublin’s Mater hospital. There were 16 heart transplants.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has encouraged people to share their views on organ donation with their loved ones, as this increased the likelihood of their wishes being realised and could also give peace of mind to their next of kin.
